Seoul City Launches Full-Scale Underground Project for Gyeongbu Expressway... Targeting Construction Start in 2026

Ministry of Land, Gyeonggi-do, and Korea Expressway Corporation Sign Business Agreement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Gyeonggi Province, and Korea Expressway Corporation announced on the 1st that they signed a memorandum of understanding on the 31st of last month and have formed and started operating a working-level consultative body to discuss the smooth promotion of the Gyeongbu Expressway underground project and the linkage and connection plans between projects.

The undergrounding of the Gyeongbu arterial road section in Seoul (Yangjae~Hannam) is a key section attracting much attention among the entire Gyeongbu Expressway underground project. Seoul City prepared a conceptual plan last year through expert discussions and reviews of road function enhancement, and as announced by Mayor Oh Se-hoon in his New Year's interview in January, plans to proceed in earnest.

The main points of the plan established so far are to handle metropolitan area wide transportation through the Ministry of Land's deep underground expressway (Yangjae~Goyang), and to alleviate surface traffic congestion by dispersing high-speed internal traffic in southeastern Seoul via the central underground road (Yangjae~Banpo).

Additionally, a spatial plan for utilizing the upper space will be developed concurrently, creating infrastructure for future generations such as green spaces, leisure areas, and cultural facilities on the surface.

The undergrounding of the Gyeongbu arterial road (Yangjae~Banpo, 6.9km) promoted by Seoul City plans to swiftly carry out procedures such as the feasibility study by the Local Administration Research Institute (LIMAC) and Seoul City's investment review this year, aiming to start construction in early 2026.

Choi Jin-seok, Director of Safety General Office of Seoul City, stated, “Through the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu arterial road, we will restore the lost road functions and recreate the upper space as a people-centered area to lead the attractive city of Seoul.”