Two Roads in Jeonnam Region, Goheung-Wando, Upgraded to National Highways

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 12th that two sections, ‘Gohung~Wando National Road No. 27 Starting Point Change’ and ‘Gohung Bongrae National Road No. 15 Extension,’ have been upgraded to national roads.

These are major routes establishing a new growth tourism belt along the southern coast, reflected in the 2nd National Road Network Comprehensive Plan (2021?2030), raising expectations for project promotion.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 12th the upgrade of 14 routes nationwide, including 9 national roads totaling 168.9 km and 5 nationally supported local roads totaling 93.6 km, amounting to 262.5 km.

Going forward, after review by the Road Policy Deliberation Committee, the road route designation will be officially announced within the first half of the year.

The Gohung~Wando section is Local Road No. 830, known as the ‘Sea Road over the Ocean.’ Of the total length of 42.4 km, 27.4 km between the undeveloped areas of Geogeumdo~Pyeongildo~Geumdangdo~Geogeumdo will be connected by five marine bridges with a total project cost of 900.8 billion KRW.

Previously, detouring inland took over two hours, but once the entire section is connected, travel from Wando through Pyeongildo and Geumdangdo to Gohung will be possible within 30 minutes, contributing to the convenience of transportation for tourists and residents.

The Gohung~Bongrae section is Nationally Supported Local Road No. 15, providing access to the Naro Space Center, a national infrastructure facility. A four-lane expansion is necessary to ensure safety during the transport of Korean launch vehicles, satellites, and advanced equipment.

Although some improvements were made due to narrow and winding roads, a four-lane expansion costing 300 billion KRW is urgently needed to transport large facilities and equipment.

With the entire Gohung~Bongrae section now designated as National Road No. 15, inclusion in the national plan for four-lane expansion is expected to become visible. Including the 6.1 km newly upgraded to national road status, a total of 23.7 km will receive an investment of 307.5 billion KRW.

The upgrade of Gohung~Wando to a national road is a long-cherished project of Jeonnam Province, which promotes clean marine tourism. Since late 2005, efforts have been made by repeatedly visiting the Blue House, Prime Minister’s Office, National Assembly, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and requesting inclusion as a preliminary feasibility exemption project in 2019.

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok said, “The upgrade of roads such as Gohung~Wando to national roads completes the southern coast tourism belt and improves mobility for island residents. We will do our best to ensure the project proceeds swiftly.”

Meanwhile, apart from the national road upgrades, the province plans to comprehensively adjust and review the local road network, including maritime connections such as Jangheung~Deukryangdo~Gohung, Jindo Jodo, and Wando Cheongsando.

While conducting the road construction management plan establishment service, the province intends to reflect the opinions of cities, counties, and residents as much as possible. The goal is to improve accessibility between islands, seas, and regions and establish a road network that connects anywhere in the province within one hour.