Board of Audit and Inspection: "GTX-A can open in 2024, but Samseong Station only by 2028..."

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[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The GTX-A line is expected to open in June 2024, but the key station, Seoul Samseong Station, is projected to open only in 2028, causing anticipated inconvenience to residents of the metropolitan area, according to an audit report from the Board of Audit and Inspection.

The Board of Audit and Inspection announced the results of the regular audit of the Korea Rail Network Authority on the 16th. The audit pointed out issues in managing the opening schedules of the Samseong?Dongtan Metropolitan Express Railway and the Metropolitan Express Railway A-line (GTX-A).

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is promoting the 'Samseong?Dongtan Metropolitan Express Railway Construction Project' (1.9 trillion KRW, public funding) and the 'Metropolitan Express Railway A-line (GTX-A, 3.3 trillion KRW, private investment)' aiming for opening in 2023. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pursuing the Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project with a target completion in 2028.

The Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project involves creating a central plaza on the surface section of Yeongdong-daero between Samseong Station and Bongeunsa Station, while undergrounding Yeongdong-daero. Beneath Yeongdong-daero, the project includes constructing a metropolitan transportation transfer center and stations for Samseong?Dongtan, GTX-C, Wirye?Sinsa, and others.

In October 2016, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Seoul Metropolitan Government signed a memorandum of understanding stipulating that Seoul would construct the Samseong Station, while making efforts to ensure no disruption to the opening of the Samseong?Dongtan line. The Ministry agreed to bear the private operator’s operational losses if the railway facilities on the Samseong?Dongtan line were not opened before the GTX-A operation commencement date.

The Board of Audit and Inspection pointed out, "Samseong Station accounts for 30% of the demand on the Samseong?Dongtan line and 14% on the GTX-A line, so if Samseong Station does not open and the railway line is disconnected, it will cause significant inconvenience to citizens."

The Board also noted, "(The Seoul Metropolitan Government) did not submit a progress schedule or opening plan in response to the Ministry’s official request to align the Samseong Station construction with the Samseong?Dongtan line opening, instead only replying with a general statement that they would do their best to open on time."

The Board added, "Although the Ministry was aware that the construction of the Samseong Station railway facilities could be delayed, it simply trusted the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s word and did not take appropriate measures such as reviewing ways to shorten the project period or terminating the agreement."

The Board pointed out, "The Samseong?Dongtan line can open in December 2023, and GTX-A in June 2024, but Samseong Station will only be able to open in April 2028," adding, "Operating the line in two separate sections will inevitably cause transportation inconvenience and damage to residents of the metropolitan area."

Partial opening of the Unjeong?Seoul Station section and the Suseo?Dongtan section requires an additional budget of 41 billion KRW for constructing a train depot and changes to the train operation plan on the Suseo?Dongtan line.

The Board of Audit and Inspection notified the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to prepare extraordinary measures to shorten the construction period so that the Samseong?Dongtan Metropolitan Express Railway and the Metropolitan Express Railway A-line can be fully connected and operated as soon as possible.

Additionally, the Board notified the Mayor of Seoul to prepare reasonable improvement plans, such as advancing the time when Samseong Station is passed without stopping through changes to the Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project plan.