'Abandoned Railway Site' The Largest in Gyeongju City Nationwide... Research Project on Introducing New Transportation Methods

Mayor Ju Nak-yeong "Need to Introduce New Transportation Linking Tourist Attractions"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Local residents are increasingly interested in how the abandoned railway sites of the Donghae Nambu Line and the Jungang Line, which run through Gyeongju city, will be transformed in the future.

According to Gyeongju City on the 28th, the Donghae Nambu Line and Jungang Line, currently undergoing double-tracking projects, will cease to function as railways within the Gyeongju area by the second half of next year.

Accordingly, a total of 74.4 km of railway tracks?52.4 km of the Donghae Nambu Line and 22 km of the Jungang Line?will be reborn as new development spaces. This abandoned railway section is the largest scale among local governments nationwide.

Plans for utilizing the abandoned railway sites include an administrative complex cultural town near Gyeongju Station and an urban forest trail project in the Dongcheon-dong and Hwangseong-dong abandoned sections, but the definitive plans remain unclear.

Meanwhile, on the 26th, Gyeongju City held a kickoff briefing session at City Hall for a feasibility study on the introduction of new transportation means as part of the abandoned railway site utilization project. The study is expected to be completed around April next year.

Mayor Ju Nak-young of Gyeongju said, "This is a time when the necessity of introducing new transportation means, including linking major downtown tourist sites and metropolitan transportation connections, is being reemphasized," adding, "We will thoroughly analyze and review to make the best use of the abandoned railway sites and ensure that the new transportation system is optimal for Gyeongju City. We will do our best to develop a comprehensive plan that satisfies citizen convenience and tourism demand."