Gyeonggi-do Accelerates '6 Metropolitan Railroad Construction Projects' This Year

Opening of Byeollae Line in the First Half of 2024... Direct Implementation by Do Planned
Basic Plan Approval Application for Three 3rd Generation New Town Railway Projects Within the Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 9th that it will "accelerate the construction of six metropolitan railway projects, including the Byeollae Line, this year."

The six projects are the Byeollae Line, Dobongsan~Okjeong Line, Okjeong~Pocheon Line, and the 3rd New Town railway projects: Goyang Eunpyeong Line, Gangdong Hanam Namyangju Line, and Songpa Hanam Line.

The Byeollae Line is an extension of Line 8, connecting Amsa-dong in Seoul and Byeollae-dong in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, covering a total distance of 12.8 km. Currently, it has reached 90% completion, and construction is underway with the goal of opening in the first half of next year.

Although the project faced difficulties such as ground subsidence in Section 3 and delays caused by ready-mixed concrete supply issues due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the province plans to complete facility construction this year and conduct comprehensive railway test runs, aiming to open as early as the first half of next year.

Once the Byeollae Line opens, it is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in large-scale housing sites in northeastern Gyeonggi, including Byeollae, Galmae, and Dasan New Towns, and promote regional development by linking urban functions between Namyangju, Guri, and Seoul.

The Dobongsan~Okjeong Line is a route connecting Dobongsan Station on Line 7 to Jangam Station and Tapseok Station in Uijeongbu City, extending to the Goeup District in Yangju City, covering a total of 15.1 km. Construction is underway with a target opening at the end of 2026.

Although the project period is planned to be extended by one year from the original 2025 to 2026 due to delays in land compensation and relocation of obstacles, the province intends to shorten the construction period by deploying additional manpower.

The Okjeong~Pocheon Line is a project to further extend Line 7 by 17.1 km from the Dobongsan~Okjeong extension section of Seoul Subway Line 7 to Gunnae-myeon, Pocheon City. Since the basic plan was approved in October last year, the construction has been divided into three sections and is currently being tendered. The project aims for completion in 2029 and will be promoted through a turnkey method combining design and construction.

The Line 7 extension project is a long-awaited wish of residents in northern Gyeonggi, expected to improve transportation infrastructure in the northern region and contribute to regional economic revitalization and balanced development.

The three metropolitan railway projects as part of the 3rd New Town's metropolitan transportation improvement plan promoted by Gyeonggi Province ? Goyang Eunpyeong Line (13.9 km western line extension in Goyang Changneung District), Gangdong Hanam Namyangju Line (18.1 km Line 9 extension in Namyangju Wangsuk District), and Songpa Hanam Line (12.0 km Line 3 extension in Hanam Gyosan District) ? will also continue to be promoted.

Last year, the province initiated basic plan establishment services for these three projects. This year, through consultations with related agencies, public hearings with residents, and expert opinions, it plans to establish the optimal basic plan and apply for approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Gu Ja-gun, Director of Railway Construction, said, "Based on the experience and know-how accumulated through directly implementing various railway projects such as the Hanam Line opened in 2021, we will proceed with the projects without any setbacks."