‘Honam Line High-Speed Project’ Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study... Daejeon and Chungnam Rejoice

Honam Line High-Speed Project Route Map. Provided by Daejeon City

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Daejeon and Chungnam are celebrating the preliminary feasibility study approval for the Honam Line high-speed project. The project focuses on straightening and upgrading the railway between Gaseowon in Daejeon and Nonsan in Chungnam. Through this, Daejeon and Chungnam are expected to gain opportunities for mutual benefits such as improved accessibility within their living areas, along with additional regional advantages.

According to Daejeon City and Chungnam Province on the 25th, the Honam Line Gaseowon-Nonsan high-speed project (hereafter ‘Honam Line high-speed project’) recently passed the Ministry of Strategy and Finance’s Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee. This comes three years after the Korea Development Institute (KDI) began the preliminary feasibility study in September 2019.

Following the approval, the Korea Rail Network Authority plans to complete the Honam Line high-speed project starting next year with a total budget of 719.2 billion KRW (fully funded by the national government). The project will primarily straighten the curved railway section between Gaseowon and Nonsan and upgrade the tracks.

Constructed in 1914, this section has maintained 31 sharp curve sections, which have been the main cause of train derailments, and 13 railway crossings vulnerable to safety issues. Additionally, aging facilities have limited the possibility of high-speed train operation and raised ongoing concerns about safety assurance.

However, after the project, these safety issues can be resolved. The straightening of the curved route will reduce the track length from the current 45 km to 29.2 km (reducing sharp curve sections from 31 to 5), enabling high-speed operation and shortening travel times.

For example, Daejeon and Chungnam anticipate that once the Honam Line high-speed project is completed, travel time between Seodaejeon Station and Nonsan Station will be reduced from the current 33 minutes to 13 minutes. Considering that the Honam Line is a major railway connecting the Chungcheong region and Honam area, it is expected to promote mutual development between Chungcheong and Honam in the future.

The Honam Line high-speed project is a long-awaited project for both Daejeon and Chungnam, with high expectations regionally. First, Daejeon expects that after the project’s completion, daily passengers using the Honam Line via Seodaejeon Station will increase by 1,282 compared to before, potentially revitalizing the commercial area around Seodaejeon Station.

Moreover, the project is estimated to generate economic ripple effects of 1.5 trillion KRW and create 8,910 jobs as indirect benefits.

Chungnam expects benefits such as a reduction in travel time valued at 108.9 billion KRW, a decrease of 2,287 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and energy savings of 820 kWh.

Above all, the Honam Line high-speed project is expected to positively impact the expansion of regional transportation infrastructure and improvement of living conditions, aiding in attracting government institutions such as the Defense Industry Complex, the Korea Military Academy, and the Ministry of National Defense.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo said, “We welcome the preliminary feasibility study approval for the Honam Line high-speed project, one of the region’s long-standing projects,” and added, “The city will propose to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to increase the number of Honam Line KTX trains passing through Seodaejeon Station to revitalize the local economy and will continue to consult with Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).”

Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum stated, “With the Honam Line high-speed project improving transportation infrastructure and living conditions in the Nonsan area, it is expected to support the ongoing efforts to establish the Defense Industry Complex and attract the Military Academy and Ministry of National Defense,” emphasizing, “The province will closely cooperate with related ministries and agencies to ensure the project progresses swiftly.”