Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon on the 19th expressed "respect" for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's mediation proposal on the extension of Line 5 and suggested that related agencies join forces to exempt the project from the preliminary feasibility study.
Governor Kim explained in a post on his social media (SNS) that "Gyeonggi Province has been striving for a swift decision on the extension of Line 5 for the citizens of Gimpo."
He added, "We requested the final route to be confirmed and the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study by the end of August last year," and evaluated, "Although it is quite late, I respect that the adjustment plan for the Line 5 extension project has been announced even now."
He further stated, "Now, the remaining task is to work together among related agencies to promptly finalize the route and secure the exemption from the preliminary feasibility study."
Earlier, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport presented a mediation proposal reflecting the opinions of Incheon City and Gimpo City.
The mediation plan involves constructing a railway from Banghwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul to Pungmu, Gimpo, then passing into Incheon to stop at two stations in Geomdan New Town, and returning to Gimpo to connect to Han River New Town in Gimpo.
The total travel time is 26 minutes, with a total of 10 stations to be installed. According to the Ministry, this plan has higher feasibility and expected ridership than the proposals submitted by the two local governments.
Additionally, regarding the 'construction waste disposal site creation' accepted by Gimpo City on the premise of the Line 5 extension, the Ministry proposed that Gimpo City and Incheon City jointly take responsibility and proceed with it. Based on this adjustment plan, the Ministry plans to resume the suspended project feasibility study and finalize the route around May.
The Seoul Subway Line 5 extension project has been promoted since 2019 to alleviate transportation inconveniences for residents in Incheon Geomdan New Town and Gimpo areas due to population growth. Incheon City has advocated for installing three stations in the Geomdan New Town area of Incheon.
On the other hand, Gimpo City argued that building three stations in Incheon Geomdan would significantly increase commuting time to Seoul for residents of Han River New Town in Gimpo and insisted on installing only one station in Incheon Geomdan, leading to a stalemate between the two sides.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
