Eunpyeong-gu Announces 4th National Railroad Network Plan Including Northwest Extension of Shinbundang Line, Expecting Improved Metropolitan Transportation Network

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] At the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan Public Hearing held on the 22nd, hosted by the Korea Transport Institute (sponsored by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), measures to alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolitan area were proposed to be reflected in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, including the northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line, the establishment of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, and the creation of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line section from Susaek to Geumcheon-gu Office.

The 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan is a mid- to long-term statutory plan outlining the basic direction and route expansion plans for the railway network over the next 10 years, from 2021 to 2030.

The three railway network construction projects reflected this time are the result of efforts by Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) to resolve the transportation environment, which suffers from a lack of a metropolitan transportation network despite explosive traffic demand due to rapid expansion of apartment supply in new towns such as Goyang Samsong, Wonheung, Hyangdong, and Jichuk districts, followed by the construction of the 3rd phase Changneung New Town and the establishment of the National Korean Literature Museum.

On June 11, 2020, Eunpyeong-gu Mayor Kim Mi-kyung delivered a joint response statement from six basic local governments (Eunpyeong-gu, Jongno-gu, Jung-gu, Yongsan-gu, Gangnam-gu, and Goyang-si), through which the northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line will pass, to Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. On June 12 of the same year, she met with Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi to request the prompt promotion of the northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line project, the establishment of Sinsagogae Station on the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, and the designation of Susaek Station as the departure station for the Eurasia Railway in northern Seoul. She also strongly reiterated these requests during a meeting with Minister Byeon Chang-heum on January 20 of this year.

Gyeongbu High-Speed Line Susaek~Geumcheon-gu Office

Regarding the northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line, residents have continuously voiced their opinions by requesting the Ministry of Economy and Finance to improve the preliminary feasibility study system to reflect new transportation demand, delivering a petition signed by 300,000 residents to related agencies (Seoul City, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Economy and Finance), and holding residents' resolution rallies urging early promotion.

Regarding the establishment of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line (formerly the Goyang Line) between Goyang City Hall and Eunpyeong Saejeol Station, efforts have been made to install Sinsagogae Station (between Saejeol Station and Hyangdong Station), a long-standing wish of Eunpyeong residents, by delivering petitions to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul City, and LH, as well as conducting multiple consultations with related agencies.

Goyang Eunpyeong Line (Saejeol~Goyang City Hall)

The deteriorated northern Seoul stations (Susaek Station and DMC Station) will be revitalized by establishing the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line section from Susaek to Geumcheon-gu Office, designating Susaek Station as the departure station for the Eurasia Railway, and transforming it into an international passenger and freight new economic hub connecting the Korean Peninsula, China, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. As a result of continuous requests to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and related agencies, this project has been included in the national railway network plan.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung stated, “Over the past 10 years, Eunpyeong-gu has needed the northwest extension of the Shinbundang Line and the establishment of Sinsagogae Station on the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line as railway infrastructure to alleviate chronic traffic congestion on major arterial roads such as Tongil-ro and Susaek-ro, promote balanced regional development, and ensure the success of Changneung New Town.” She added, “We welcome the inclusion of the three railway networks passing through Eunpyeong-gu in this plan, and we expect it to greatly contribute to the regional development of northwestern Seoul and Eunpyeong-gu, which have been neglected and underdeveloped. We will do our best to realize this as soon as possible together with the 480,000 residents of Eunpyeong-gu.”