Geumcheon-gu, Feasibility Study for Development of Space Above Gyeongbu Line Railway in Preparation for Undergrounding

Preparation of a Development Plan for Railway Overhead Space Reflecting the Regional Characteristics of Geumcheon-gu
Promotion of Realizing Geumcheon-gu's Plan at the Planning Stage with Related Agencies

Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) announced that it will carry out the "Basic Concept Study for Development of Space Above the Railway" for the Geumcheon-gu section from April to September in preparation for the undergrounding of the Gyeongbu Line railway.

The "Gyeongbu Line Undergrounding Project" is a project to underground approximately 32 km from Seoul Station to Gunpo Dangjeong Station, and it became more tangible with the enactment of the Railway Undergrounding Integrated Development Act in January this year.

The scope of the study covers the 5.6 km section of the Gyeongbu Line in Geumcheon-gu, from Gasan Digital Complex Station to Seoksu Station.

The undergrounding of the aboveground railway involves removing the railway that crosses the city center above ground and relocating it underground, then developing the space above ground. There have been continuous calls for undergrounding the railway due to issues such as noise, vibration, dust, and the need to revitalize the local economy.

Through this study, the district plans to analyze the current status of areas around the railway, including the G-Valley section where about 140,000 workers are employed and the Siheung-dong area with dense residential zones, and establish a development plan for the space above the railway according to the undergrounding plan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to establish a comprehensive plan for integrated railway undergrounding development by next year and select pilot project sites within this year. In March, the district signed a joint petition with six other local government heads to have the Seoul Station to Dangjeong Station section selected as a pilot project for railway undergrounding.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, "Through this study, we will proactively prepare a development plan for the space above the Gyeongbu Line railway that reflects local characteristics," and added, "We will strive to ensure that our district's opinions are reflected in the planning stages of the central government, Seoul, and related agencies."