"Daechang Hongdae Line Sangam Station is at 7th Complex Intersection, Deogeun Station is in Deogeun District"

Daegang Hongdae Line Private Investment Project Progressing Smoothly... Station and Exit Locations Are Key
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Third-Party Proposal Announcement in September, Operator Selection Within the Year"

On July 14th, a public hearing for the "Daejang Hongdae Line Double-Track Railway Private Investment Project Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (Draft)" was held at the Gayang 7 Comprehensive Social Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul (left) and the Todam Youth Training Center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] "Please provide a transfer connection at Digital Media City (DMC) Station and the location of the entrance to the upcoming Sangam Lotte Mall," "We believe the World Cup Park 7 Complex intersection is the most suitable location for Sangam Station to promote balanced development in the Sangam area," and "Since Deogeun District is surrounded on all sides and is very disadvantaged in terms of transportation, we request that Deogeun Station be located within Deogeun District."

Local residents have voiced various opinions regarding the station locations and exit directions of the 'Bucheon Daejang~Hongdae Entrance (Daejang-Hongdae Line) double-track railway,' scheduled to begin construction in the second half of next year. This project was included in the '4th National Railroad Network Plan' announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) last year, and the government plans to issue a 'third-party proposal announcement' next month.

A MOLIT official said on the 15th, "Hyundai Construction initially submitted a proposal, but we chose a third-party proposal method to select the company with the best business feasibility," adding, "We plan to complete the selection process between October and November."

The line will start from Bucheon Daejang, one of the 3rd New Towns, cross the Han River, and connect to Hongdae Entrance Station (transfer point for Line 2, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Airport Railroad). Hyundai Construction has proposed a total of 11 stations, including 4 transfer stations, and GS Construction is also reportedly interested. The total project cost is approximately 2 trillion KRW.

The official explained, "Unlike the issue where residents of Eonma Apartments in Gangnam District demand a reroute of the GTX C Line, this project is progressing smoothly," and added, "This is also why fewer local residents attended the earlier public hearing."

MOLIT held a public hearing on the draft 'Daejang-Hongdae Line Double-Track Railway Private Investment Project Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment' on the 14th of last month. Fourteen residents attended the hearing in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, and ten residents attended in Gangseo District, Seoul.

So far, the project is proceeding smoothly, but there is a high possibility of disputes later depending on where the stations are located. Many local residents have submitted opinions, both at the public hearing and earlier, requesting that stations be built at location A or that station exits be directed towards location B, considering real estate prices and convenience.

Regarding the Gaya Station exit, 134 residents of Gangseo District proposed, "To avoid overlapping with the existing Line 9 and to promote regional balanced development, we suggest the location of Gaya 6 and 7 Complexes (tentative names)."

In Mapo District, 52 residents expressed various opinions. They requested that DMC Station be connected for transfers with the existing Subway Line 6, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and Airport Railroad, and that the station be located midway between Sangam Elementary School and Guryong Intersection. Considering the characteristics of the business district, they also asked to increase the number of exits at Sangam Station and emphasized the absolute necessity of a station near Complex 9 for convenient access to Haneul and Noeul Parks and to disperse usage of the World Cup Stadium.

Residents who attended the public hearing in person made similar requests. In Goyang City, Deogeun Station was a particular topic of discussion. Resident Park said, "Deogeun District is environmentally disadvantaged due to areas like Nanjido and is also vulnerable in terms of transportation, so the location of Deogeun Station is important," adding, "The adjacent Han River is accessible not only to Deogeun District residents but also to others, so this should be taken into account."

Resident Choi inquired whether a borehole survey would be conducted in Deogeun District and if the results would be reflected. He also emphasized, "Since the route passes adjacent to the Nanjido landfill, please properly assess the impact of the remaining waste during underground construction."

In response, a MOLIT official said, "We will establish criteria so that project proposers can comprehensively consider resident convenience," and added, "We expect many good proposals to come out from the third-party proposal process."