Urban Railroad Line 9 Phase 4 Main Construction Begins... Completion in 2028

Total Length 4.1 km, Targeting 4 Station Locations

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 3rd that it has officially begun construction on the ‘Urban Railway Line 9 Phase 4 Extension Project,’ aiming for completion in 2028, after receiving project plan approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on December 29 of last year.

Seoul applied for approval of the project plan for the Urban Railway Line 9 Phase 4 Extension Project in August last year. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee) completed consultations with central government agencies, Korea Expressway Corporation, and other related organizations, and approved the project plan in accordance with Article 7 of the Urban Railway Act.

The ‘Urban Railway Line 9 Phase 4 Extension Project’ involves constructing four stations along a total extension of 4.1 km, starting from the current terminus at Jungang Veterans Hospital Station, passing through the intersection in front of Gildong Ecological Park, Hanyoung Foreign Language High School, and Godeok Station (transfer to Line 5), and connecting to Godeok Gangil 1 District.

In response to local residents’ requests, Phase 4 of Line 9 is being promoted as a turnkey project (design and construction lump-sum bidding). Priority construction for Section 2 began in August 2021, and for Sections 1 and 3 in December of the same year. Preparations for the main construction are underway, including demolition of pedestrian overpasses, relocation consultations for obstacles, and road occupancy permits. With the approval of the project plan this time as a milestone, full-scale construction is expected to proceed.

Urban Railway Line 9 opened its first phase in 2009, second phase in 2015, and third phase in 2018. Currently, the 41.4 km section from Gaehwa Station to Sinnonhyeon, Sports Complex, and Jungang Veterans Hospital Station is in operation. Once the Phase 4 extension is completed in 2028, the Line 9 Gold Line will be completed with a total length of 45.5 km and 42 stations, connecting the southern part of Seoul across the Han River from east to west.

Kim Seong-bo, Head of the Urban Infrastructure Headquarters of Seoul City, said, “We will minimize inconvenience to local residents caused by construction and focus on safety while promoting the project.” He added, “Accessibility from the Gangdong area to Gangnam and Yeouido will improve, alleviating transportation inconveniences for local residents and greatly contributing to the revitalization of the Gangdong local economy in Seoul.”