Three Railway Projects in Jeonbuk Expected to Start Preliminary Feasibility Study Service Within This Year

Jeonju~Gimcheon Railway, Dalbit Naeruk Railway (Gwangju~Daegu), Jeolla Line (Iksan~Yeosu) High-Speedization, etc.

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho] The preliminary feasibility study for three railway projects in Jeonbuk, including the Jeonju~Gimcheon railway reflected in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan, is expected to commence as early as this year.

According to Jeonbuk Province on the 25th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to carry out preliminary feasibility study services within this year for six projects included in the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan (△Jeonju~Gimcheon Line △Dalbit Inland Railway (Gwangju~Daegu) △Jeolla Line (Iksan~Yeosu) △Gyeongbu High-Speed Line Gwangmyeong~Pyeongtaek △West Sea Line~Gyeongbu High-Speed Connection Line △Samcheok~Gangneung Line).

Among these, the Jeonju~Gimcheon railway had been included only as a project for additional review in the 1st to 3rd National Railway Network Construction Plans, but in this 4th plan, it is classified as a preliminary feasibility study target project, undergoing the same procedures as new projects on an equal footing.

Currently, traveling from Jeonju to Gimcheon by rail requires about 1 hour and 30 minutes transfer at Osong Station when using KTX, and about 3 hours transfer at Sintanjin Station when using Mugunghwa-ho, with passengers bearing all the time and fare burdens caused by transfers.

However, once the Jeonju~Gimcheon railway is constructed, it will be possible to travel directly from Jeonju to Gimcheon in about 40 minutes, reducing time and fare burdens, and by providing railway transportation services to Jin-an and Muju areas, which have been railway transportation deserts, it is expected to greatly improve accessibility in the eastern region of Jeonbuk.

Additionally, the Dalbit Inland Railway is a project connecting major Yeongnam and Honam points with a high-speed line, contributing to shortening east-west travel times and revitalizing exchanges, and it is expected to provide railway transportation services to Jangsu-gun and Sunchang-gun, which are currently railway transportation deserts.

Furthermore, the Jeolla Line (Iksan~Yeosu) has steep gradients and sharp curves in the Iksan~Jeonju section, causing inconvenience to passengers using the railway, so through the high-speed project, relatively low-speed sections will be improved and upgraded for higher speed, enhancing the efficiency of railway operations.

Governor Song Ha-jin said, “We will strive to enhance the convenience of railway transportation for residents by expanding social infrastructure between Yeongnam and Honam and by upgrading existing lines to high-speed through this preliminary feasibility study.”

Meanwhile, based on the results of this preliminary feasibility study, the railway construction project will proceed through procedures such as selection as a preliminary feasibility study target project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, passing the feasibility study, establishing basic plans, basic and detailed design, compensation, and commencement of construction.

Wanju=Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr