Construction starts in 2024, aiming for use in 2026... Focus on preliminary feasibility study approval and securing next year's budget
[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonbuk Province announced on the 8th that it is actively working on the timely construction of the second dredged soil disposal site, the largest pending project at Gunsan Port, due to the saturation of the Geumrando dredged soil disposal site.
According to the province, Gunsan Port is located below the Geum River Estuary Bank, where about 3 million cubic meters of sediment are deposited annually from soil discharged from the Geum River and suspended sediment brought in from the open sea during high tide.
To maintain Gunsan Port and ensure smooth passage of incoming and outgoing vessels, about 1 million cubic meters are dredged annually and disposed of at the Geumrando disposal site, but it is almost full, making the construction of the second dredged soil disposal site urgent.
Jeonbuk Province, in continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, Gunsan City, and local political circles, has had the 428.7 billion KRW second dredged soil disposal site project, which can be used for the next 30 years, selected as a preliminary feasibility study target project last year.
Accordingly, while the project cost and schedule will be determined based on the preliminary feasibility study results, considering the urgency of the project, the province is conducting all-out efforts for rapid feasibility study promotion and inclusion in the 2023 national budget.
If the project passes the preliminary feasibility study by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and secures the 2023 budget, it can start construction in 2024 after basic design, and dredged soil disposal could begin as early as 2026.
The second dredged soil disposal site will be located beside the west breakwater of Pier 7 at Gunsan Port, with a national budget investment of 428.7 billion KRW, featuring a 4,170m revetment, a 1,160m auxiliary revetment, and covering an area of 2.15 million square meters, to be used as a dredged soil disposal site for Gunsan Port for the next 30 years.
The economic effect of constructing the second disposal site is expected to exceed 1 trillion KRW, with the creation of 3,284 jobs and an indirect employment effect of 1,095 people annually after completion.
Additionally, a new site of 2.15 million square meters, equivalent to 75% of Yeouido’s area, will be created, enabling the use of a port hinterland complex, resulting in a triple benefit.
Meanwhile, the expiring Geumrando site is planned to be redeveloped into a marine leisure and ecological space linked with Gunsan Inner Port and modern historical culture, transforming it into a regional landmark for marine culture and tourism. Recently, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has started related service work for Geumrando and is actively operating the Gunsan-Janghang Port Win-Win Council.
Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr
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