Railway Corporation "Transforming Idle Railway Land into 'Barefoot Clay Road' and More"

Six idle railway sites will be transformed into resident-friendly spaces such as barefoot clay trails.

The Korea Rail Network Authority announced on the 7th that it has selected six local governments to participate in the railway idle land utilization project in the first half of this year.

Provided by Korea Rail Network Authority

The railway idle land utilization project is implemented with the purpose of creating resident-friendly spaces and strengthening regional competitiveness using state-owned idle railway land.

The Rail Network Authority held a public contest for local governments to participate in this project in January, and through the 'Railway Idle Land Utilization Deliberation Committee' composed of internal and external experts, finally selected project proposals from six local governments.

The selected proposed projects are ▲ Healing walking trail creation in Ulju-gun (Donghae Nambu Line) ▲ Cheongpyeong Dullegil trail creation in Gapyeong-gun (Gyeongchun Line) ▲ Outdoor garden creation in Yeongcheon-si (Jungang Line) ▲ Living sports facility creation in Gyeongju-si (Donghae Nambu Line) ▲ Railway idle land utilization in Gyeongsan-si (Daegu Line) ▲ Saiieum Park creation in Hwaseong-si (Seohae Line).

These local governments plan to invest a total of 16.7 billion KRW by 2027 to transform the idle railway sites into barefoot clay trails, green spaces, sports parks, and tennis courts.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Rail Network Authority will provide up to 83,649㎡ of idle land to local governments free of charge for up to 20 years.

The Rail Network Authority will also hold a public contest for railway idle land utilization project proposals in the second half of this year. The contest will be held from the 19th of this month to the 23rd of next month.

Lee Seong-hae, Chairman of the Rail Network Authority, said, “It is meaningful that idle railway land is being reborn as cultural and sports spaces and can be provided to local residents. We hope many local governments will show interest and participate in the second half contest as well.”