GTX-D Only from Gimpo to Bucheon... Gangnam Connection Excluded

Draft of the 4th National Railroad Network Plan
High Interest in GTX-D, Gimpo~Bucheon Undongjang Station
Excludes Gangnam Connection... Local Opposition Expected

On the morning of the 20th, citizens are inspecting the interior of a train at the 'Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line A Train Vehicle Mock-up Exhibition' held at Dongtan Yeoul Park in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Western Metropolitan Express Railway (GTX-D), which had a significant impact on the metropolitan real estate market even before the route was finalized, has been decided to be constructed only on the Gimpo-Bucheon section. This is a significant reduction from the original proposal made by Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province.

On the 22nd, the Korea Transport Institute held a public hearing on the "4th National Railway Network Construction Plan Study" and disclosed this information. The National Railway Network Construction Plan is the highest-level railway plan that outlines the direction and projects for railway investment over the next 10 years (2021?2030).

Regarding the much-anticipated GTX-D line, it was decided to connect from Gimpo Janggi to Bucheon Sports Complex. Previously, Incheon City proposed a Y-shaped route combining two lines: one connecting Incheon Airport Terminal 2?Terminal 1?Yeongjongdo?Cheongna?Gajeong?Jakjeon?Bucheon Sports Complex?Southern Seoul?Hanam, and the other connecting Gyeonggi Gimpo Tongjin?Janggi?Incheon Geomdan?Gyeyang?Bucheon Sports Complex.

Gyeonggi Province proposed a route starting from Gimpo Hangang New Town through Geomdan?Gyeyang?Bucheon?Southern Seoul?Hanam, while Seoul’s Gangseo District reportedly requested the addition of Gimpo Airport Station to Gyeonggi’s proposed route.

However, the current plan includes only the Gimpo?Bucheon section. Since the originally requested direct connection to Seoul Gangnam by neighboring local governments was excluded, strong opposition is expected, especially from Incheon and surrounding areas. For railway construction to proceed, inclusion in this plan is a prerequisite for conducting preliminary feasibility studies and advancing the project, which explains the strong demands from local governments.

The institute explained, "Due to the construction of 2nd and 3rd phase new towns and population growth, traffic congestion has become severe in major metropolitan areas. We will build new metropolitan railways to support travel within 30 minutes between key points in the metropolitan area." The travel time on the Gimpo?Bucheon section will be drastically reduced from 69 minutes to 15 minutes.

New metropolitan railway constructions include extensions of the Byeollae Line, Bundang Line, Ilsan Line, the Daejang?Hongdae Line, and the Singuro Line. Metropolitan railways will also be significantly expanded outside the metropolitan area to lay the foundation for the creation of metropolitan economic zones. For this purpose, the plan includes the Busan?Yangsan?Ulsan metropolitan railway, the Southeast region circular metropolitan railway, Daegu?Gyeongbuk metropolitan railway, Daejeon?Sejong?Chungbuk metropolitan railway, and Gwangju?Naju metropolitan railway.

Additionally, new high-speed rail services will be provided to the West Coast areas such as Hongseong, where high-speed rail access was inconvenient. If the project proceeds normally, travel time from Hongseong to Seoul will be reduced from the current 2 hours 21 minutes to 48 minutes, and from Yeosu to Seoul from 2 hours 44 minutes to about 2 hours 10 minutes. The Gangneung?Pohang section will also be drastically shortened from 5 hours 14 minutes to 1 hour 32 minutes.

The total investment scale of this plan reaches 114.7 trillion KRW, including 60.6 trillion KRW for ongoing projects and 54.1 trillion KRW for new projects. During the plan period, 90 trillion KRW will be invested. The production inducement effect is expected to be 175.8 trillion KRW, the added value effect 73 trillion KRW, and the employment inducement effect is projected to reach 468,000 jobs.