[30-Minute Capital Area] ③ Accelerating Underground Railroads and Roads... 'Spatial Innovation' Through Restructuring

On the morning of the 25th, the government announced the 'Three Major Innovation Strategies in the Transportation Sector' at a public discussion hosted by the President in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, which includes achieving 'spatial innovation' through the undergrounding of railroads and roads to restructure urban spaces. The discussion was held under the theme of 'Commuting in 30 Minutes Era, Resolving Transportation Disparities.'

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to accelerate railroad undergrounding projects, including the Seoul International Business Axis (Seoul Station to Guro). Starting this month, it will begin preparing a dedicated undergrounding promotion plan, select target lines by December next year, and develop the space above railroad sites and adjacent areas into specialized hubs such as transfer and distribution centers or central business districts to cover construction costs.

First, a comprehensive plan will be initiated in March. The comprehensive plan will cover nationwide target undergrounding lines and sections, plans for above-ground development, and railroad network restructuring.

Target lines will be selected by December next year, focusing on six major metropolitan cities, considering project feasibility and balanced development. The focus will be on revitalizing local projects through metropolitan-local package development, integrated account management, and additional investments.

Above-ground development will involve high-density, mixed-use development around station areas to create key hubs, and redevelopment of aging and low-density areas near tracks along with railroad sites. Major examples in Seoul include the Seoul International Business Axis (Seoul Station to Guro), New Industry Economic Axis (Guro to Seoksu), and Northeast Living Economic Axis (Cheongnyangni to Dobong).

A master plan for railroad restructuring will also be prepared to optimize connections between undergrounded lines and other lines. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to analyze 21st-century urban spaces to review the relocation of terminal stations, adjustment of functions and capacities by line, and the establishment of new hub stations to reorganize the railroad network.

Leading project sections will be decided by the end of this year based on proposals from local governments, focusing on pledged projects. Local governments will proactively establish basic plans, including project scope, phases, and funding methods (reviewed by the Central Urban Planning Committee), to visualize project outcomes early.

Additionally, in line with the enforcement of the Railroad Undergrounding Special Act in January next year, subordinate legislation will be completed, and collaboration will be established among the state (comprehensive plans and investments), local governments (basic plans and cost support), public institutions (bond issuance and project management), and the private sector (land acquisition and development).

For roads, the government plans to underground highways to resolve chronic traffic congestion by expanding road capacity three-dimensionally. The underground highway for the Metropolitan Area 1st Ring Road (Seochang to Gimpo), already underway, is scheduled to begin construction in 2026, and the underground highways for the Gyeongbu and Gyeongin routes, currently under preliminary feasibility study, aim for construction start in 2027. In local areas, underground road projects will be actively explored focusing on metropolitan areas, considering regional traffic flow and the status of arterial road networks.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will start research and development (R&D) from April until December 2028 to create safe underground roads. This aims to respond to disasters and accidents such as flooding and fires and to improve driver discomfort such as claustrophobia. Additionally, some surplus space above roads will be developed into parks and office facilities so that citizens can use them according to conditions.