GTX-B Early Construction in the First Half of 2024... "Focusing All Policy Capabilities"

Ongoing Failed Bidding in Financial Section Project, Considering Private Contracting Besides Turnkey Method

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Wanyong] The government has decided to simultaneously commence early construction of both the private and public sections of the Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line B in the first half of 2024. In particular, for the public section project, which has faced repeated bidding failures, they are considering not only the turnkey (design and construction lump-sum bidding) method but also negotiated contracts.

On the 7th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it will promote the public section project of GTX-B Line, which has experienced continuous bidding failures, through a turnkey method for all construction sections in consultation with the Korea Rail Network Authority, and select a qualified party for detailed design by March next year. However, the Ministry explained that it will consult with the Korea Rail Network Authority considering the project schedule, the difficulty of deep tunnel construction, and procedures under the National Contract Act.

Since the Korea Rail Network Authority has already included a notice in the second bidding announcement that if bidding is not established, the project may proceed via negotiated contracts, the Ministry is expected to effectively proceed with negotiated contracts for the public section project of GTX-B Line.

Through this, the plan is to advance the schedule, including selecting a qualified party for detailed design of the GTX-B Line public section project by March next year.

The private section is scheduled to select a preferred negotiation partner in December. Upon selection, full-scale negotiations will begin immediately, with the goal of completing the implementation agreement within 2023. Detailed design will be conducted concurrently during negotiations to minimize the construction start time.

Lee Kyung-seok, Director of the Metropolitan Express Railway Promotion Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “GTX-B is a key line that runs east-west across the metropolitan area and allows transfers at major stations such as Yongsan Station, Seoul Station, and Cheongnyangni Station. Since public expectations for rapid project progress are very high, we will further strengthen project management.”

Meanwhile, the GTX-B Line is currently undergoing the selection process for operators for both the public section (Yongsan to Sangbong, 19.9 km) and the private section (Incheon National University Entrance to Yongsan, Sangbong to Maseok, 62.8 km), with plans to commence construction in the first half of 2024 and open in 2030.