Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Approves Implementation Plan for Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Railway (GTX) Line C, Opening in 2028... Approval of Basic Plan for Ui-Sinseol Extension Next Year, Finalizing Construction Start Date
The Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) Line C received approval for its implementation plan from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on December 27. This comes 12 years after its inclusion in the national railway network plan in 2011.
With this implementation plan approval, the Ministry and GTX-C will begin full-scale construction starting January next year. The goal is to open the line in 2028.
The Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) Line C passed the preliminary feasibility study in December 2018 following its inclusion in the national railway network plan in 2011. In June 2021, the Hyundai Construction consortium was selected as the preferred bidder.
However, during this process, the Dobong section (Changdong Station), which was originally planned as an underground segment, was changed to an above-ground section, causing local opposition. The district has expressed its position to related agencies, including meeting with Minister Won Hee-ryong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to revert to underground construction.
Subsequently, on May 10 of this year, Minister Won Hee-ryong visited Dobong District and announced the underground construction of the Dobong section, reflecting the district’s position.
A district official stated, “Once the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) Line C is completed, travel time from Changdong Station to Samseong Station will be drastically reduced from one hour to 13 minutes,” adding, “This will have a significant impact on the economic growth of Dobong District.”
Additionally, the district is accelerating the Ui~Banghak light rail project, a long-standing wish of Dobong District. To ensure smooth progress, the district has requested the Seoul Metropolitan Government to adopt a turnkey method (design and construction integrated bidding) and continues to hold consultations with related agencies. The goal is to begin construction as early as the second half of 2024 or by the first half of 2025 at the latest.
With the demand forecast reassessment and strategic environmental impact assessment passed, the Ui~Banghak light rail is expected to receive basic plan approval and central investment review next year, and the construction start date will be determined according to the bidding method for detailed design.
Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong District, said, “When GTX-C Line is completed and fully operational in 2028, Dobong District will emerge as a central city in the northeastern metropolitan area alongside Changdong Arena, Seed Cube Changdong, and the complex transfer center,” adding, “The district will continue to do its best to expand the railway transportation network.”
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