Chungcheong and Daegu Area Metropolitan Railroad Extension 'Pre-Feasibility Study' Service Contract Issued

The Korea Rail Network Authority has commissioned a preliminary feasibility study for the construction of phases 2 and 3 of the Chungcheong Regional Railway and phase 2 of the Daegu Regional Railway.

The extension projects for the Chungcheong and Daegu regional railways are included in the "4th National Rail Network Construction Plan."

According to the Rail Network Authority on the 20th, railway construction proceeds in the order of preliminary feasibility study, preliminary feasibility assessment, basic plan, basic design, detailed design, project plan approval, and commencement of construction.

The preliminary feasibility study is the first step before applying for the preliminary feasibility assessment, reviewing the optimal route plan, demand and economic analysis, and developing the rationale for project promotion.

The study period is scheduled to last 12 months from the start date.

Phases 2 and 3 of the Chungcheong Regional Railway extend the phase 1 project (Gyeryong to Sintanjin), which is scheduled to begin construction by the end of this year, by upgrading 22.6 km between Sintanjin and Jochiwon on the Gyeongbu Line (phase 2, total project cost 36.4 billion KRW) and 40.7 km between Ganggyeong and Gyeryong on the Honam Line (phase 3, total project cost 51.1 billion KRW), connecting four cities and provinces in the Chungcheong region: Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk.

Phase 2 of the Daegu Regional Railway extends the currently under-construction phase 1 project (Gumi to Gyeongsan) by upgrading 22.9 km between Gimcheon and Gumi on the Gyeongbu Line (total project cost 45.8 billion KRW), aiming to improve public transportation services in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas.

Kim Han-young, President of the Rail Network Authority, stated, "The extension projects for the Chungcheong and Daegu regional railways are planned to provide improved transportation convenience to local residents," adding, "We will carefully examine the feasibility of the projects to improve living conditions in small and medium-sized cities and to overcome the crisis of regional extinction."