GTX-A and Other Railway Network Construction · Resumption of Suburban Line Operations
Traffic Congestion Relief on Over 20 Sections
Goyang Nuri Bus and Eco-Friendly Electric Vehicle Distribution
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The projects 'Ilsan Technovalley,' 'KINTEX 3rd Exhibition Hall,' and 'CJ Live City' will commence from the first half of this year. These mega projects also represent the major economic blueprint of Goyang City, which is set to launch as a special city in January next year.
For regional large-scale projects to create synergy effects, the transportation system must also expand proportionally. In particular, transportation issues in the metropolitan area have an absolute impact on the economy, including real estate.
Proper transportation welfare means that roads and railway networks are densely connected so that people can reach their destinations quickly without obstruction and can go wherever they want at any time.
There is keen interest in how the transportation map will change to match Goyang City's status as a special city, which is awaiting numerous large projects to revive the economy that has been stagnant due to COVID-19.
According to recent data from Goyang City, a major policy survey conducted last year with 1,000 Goyang citizens showed that the top priority policy Goyang City should focus on is 'transportation.'
◆ Securing Transportation Networks such as GTX-A Construction and Resumption of Gyeongui Line Operation
The GTX-A line, which starts from Unjeong and passes through KINTEX, Daegok, and Changneung to Gangnam in about 20 minutes, is scheduled to open in December 2023.
Currently, excavation work for 13 vertical shafts within the jurisdiction has been completed, and tunnel construction for the main line section is underway. In December last year, Changneung Station was newly established as part of the metropolitan transportation improvement plan.
The Gyeonggi-do West Coast Line, known as the Seohae Line of the metropolitan subway, was previously between Daegok and Sosa, but in June last year, it was decided to extend it to Ilsan Station using the Gyeongui Line tracks.
Once the Seohae Line section from Ilsan to Sosa opens, there will be four transfer stations, including Gimpo Airport Station, between Daegok and Sosa Stations, connecting with Seoul Subway Lines 3, 5, 7, and 9. This will improve accessibility to the southwestern Gyeonggi region and the southern part of the Han River in Seoul.
However, due to construction delays in the Han River underwater tunnel section and the Gimpo Airport transfer passage, the originally planned opening in July this year has become practically difficult, making the opening date uncertain.
The delay is due to design changes at Gimpo Airport Station, where the design was altered to more efficiently connect transfer flows among five railways. Additionally, delays in the underwater tunnel construction between Gimpo Airport and Daegok Stations are also hindering progress.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the construction consortium led by Hyundai Engineering & Construction are currently in final negotiations regarding responsibility for the construction delays and the opening schedule. Goyang City plans to cooperate to prevent construction delays within its jurisdiction.
The Gyeongui Line, connecting Uijeongbu and Goyang, is also being promoted with the goal of resuming operation in 2024. In December last year, a mutual cooperation agreement was signed among Gyeonggi Province, Goyang City, Uijeongbu City, and Yangju City to expedite the resumption.
Additionally, projects such as ▲ extension of the Shinbundang Line northwest section (Samsong to Yongsan) ▲ establishment of the Wonjong-Hongdae Line (Wonjong to Deogeun District to Hongdae Entrance) ▲ extension of Incheon Line 2 ▲ extension of Ilsan Line ▲ establishment of the Tongillo Line (Seoul-Goyang-Paju) are also underway.
According to the Changneung New Town metropolitan transportation plan, a new Goyang Line connecting Saejeol Station (Line 6) ? Hwajeong Station (Line 3) ? Goyang City Hall will be established, and a new transportation mode between Daegok ? Goyang City Hall ? Siksa is also planned.
In the public transportation sector, projects include ▲ establishment of a BRT between Jungang-ro and Tongillo ▲ support for public transportation operation and new garage construction costs ▲ creation of transfer facilities at Hwajeon Station.
In the road sector, projects include ▲ construction of a connecting road between Ilsan and Seooreung and partial expansion of Seooreung-ro ▲ connection between Jungang-ro and the 2nd Jayuro ▲ expansion of Susaek Bridge ▲ expansion of the Gangbyeonbuk-ro section in Seoul ▲ improvement of the 2nd Jayuro Deogeun 2-gyo intersection ▲ construction of roads connecting Hwajeon Station and BRT stops.
In November last year, a 35.3 km expressway connecting Gangmae-dong in Deogyang-gu and Naepori in Munsan-eup, Paju City, was opened.
Compared to Tongillo, travel time was reduced by about 40 minutes, and compared to Jayuro, by about 10 minutes, greatly improving accessibility from Goyang to Seoul and southern Gyeonggi areas.
◆ Resolving More than 20 Frequent Congestion Sections
Goyang City completed traffic congestion improvement projects at 19 locations, including bottlenecks at Goyang IC and Ilsan IC interchanges, and areas around Tongillo, Siksa Intersection, and Gobong-dong by the end of last year.
Ilsan IC, where the Metropolitan Area 1st Ring Expressway and Jungang-ro merge, was a place with severe traffic congestion during rush hours due to the concentration of vehicles exiting the expressway and traveling on Jungang-ro.
The city began construction at the end of 2018, adding an exit ramp at Ilsan IC and creating one new lane on the lower road. By changing the irregular structure, bottlenecks gradually decreased, and vehicle congestion at Baekseok Intersection was also alleviated.
At five intersections including the entrance to Gogol at Tongillo, Naeraeyu Intersection, and the entrance to Dupo-dong, left-turn pocket lanes and bus bays were created to relieve traffic congestion.
◆ Goyang Nuri Bus and Eco-Friendly Electric Vehicle Distribution
Goyang City has deployed Nuri buses with license plates N001 to N007 on six routes in areas underserved by public transportation. Three routes?Songpo-dong, Gobong-dong, and Naeyu-dong?opened in January last year, followed by three additional routes starting operation in September.
The city plans to improve services through user satisfaction surveys and increase Nuri bus usage by establishing new bus stops.
Additionally, this year, more than 1,500 electric vehicles, electric two-wheelers, and hydrogen electric vehicles will be distributed, and eco-friendly electric charging infrastructure will be expanded to 900 units by 2022. In the first half of the year, 1,000 shared bicycles will be distributed throughout the city.
Besides these, the city is leading efforts to make tolls on the Ilsan Bridge free and, after 12 years since the opening of the Gyeongui Line, succeeded in having the Gyeongui Line express train stop at Tanhyeon Station.
Lee Jae-jun, Mayor of Goyang City, stated, "With the launch of the special city, the transportation network must be firmly supported," adding, "We will prepare budgets and plans to achieve not only quantitative expansion but also qualitative improvement of transportation."
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