Six Idle Railway Sites Transformed into 'Resident-Friendly Spaces'

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

A partial bird's-eye view of the Ulju-gun healing walking trail to be created on the idle land of the Donghae Nambu Line railway / Image provided by Korea Rail Network Authority

This project aims to transform state-owned idle railway land into resident-friendly spaces and strengthen regional competitiveness. In January, the Rail Network Authority held a public contest targeting local governments nationwide, and on the 31st of last month, it convened the 'Railway Idle Land Utilization Deliberation Committee,' composed of internal and external experts, to review the appropriateness of the project plans and the reflection of residents' opinions.

The six selected local governments are ▲ Ulju-gun Healing Walking Trail Project (Donghae Nambu Line) ▲ Gapyeong-gun Cheongpyeong Dullegil Trail Project (Gyeongchun Line) ▲ Yeongcheon-si Outdoor Garden Project (Jungang Line) ▲ Gyeongju-si Community Sports Facility Project (Donghae Nambu Line) ▲ Gyeongsan-si Railway Idle Land Utilization Project (Daegu Line) ▲ Hwaseong-si Saiieum Park Project (Seohae Line).

These local governments will invest a total of 16.7 billion KRW by 2027 to create barefoot loess trails, green spaces, sports parks, tennis courts, and more on the idle railway land. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Rail Network Authority will provide up to 83,649 square meters of idle land to the local governments free of charge for up to 20 years.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Rail Network Authority plan to expand the utilization of idle railway land. The call for proposals for the railway idle land utilization project in the second half of this year will be held from the 19th of this month to the 23rd of next month.

Lee Seong-hae, President of the Rail Network Authority, said, "I am honored that railway land, which has fulfilled its role in rail transportation, is being reborn as cultural and sports spaces and can be provided to local residents," adding, "I hope many will show interest in this second half public contest as well."