Cost Reduction through Full Aboveground Sections... Expected User Convenience
Shortened Transfer Routes and Cost Reduction Lead to Basic Plan Changes
Total Project Cost 998.1 Billion KRW... 2 Lines, 34.4 km, 36 Stations, 34 Vehicles in Operation
Gyeonggi Province announced on the 29th that it received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 27th for the modification of the basic plan for the construction of the Dongtan Urban Railway (Tram).
The Dongtan Urban Railway construction project is part of the metropolitan transportation improvement measures for Dongtan 2 New City, jointly undertaken by Hwaseong City, Suwon City, and Osan City to build an urban railway over a total length of 34.4 km. Since Gyeonggi Province first established the basic plan in 2021, Hwaseong, Suwon, and Osan have been advancing the project.
The total project cost is 998.1 billion KRW, and it involves constructing 36 stations and one vehicle depot along two lines spanning 34.4 km: from Mangpo Station to Dongtan Station to Osan Station, and from Byeongjeom Station to Dongtan Station to the vehicle depot. A total of 34 vehicles (28 in operation, 6 reserves) will run at 9-minute intervals, with the goal of opening in 2028.
This modification was pursued because, after establishing the basic plan, Hwaseong City conducted the actual basic design and found that some changes to the plan were inevitable due to on-site conditions, cost reduction, and improving user convenience.
To change the basic plan, Gyeonggi Province held two public hearings and gathered opinions from the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, reflecting some feedback before applying for approval of the plan modification to the Metropolitan Transportation Committee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in September.
The province explained that with this approval, the original plan, which included some underground sections, has been changed to an entirely above-ground route, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, measures such as securing extra lanes were prepared to prevent road congestion caused by the above-ground construction. The locations of some stations expected to have inconvenient transfers were also adjusted, significantly improving convenience and accessibility for transfer users.
Go Bung-ro, Director of the Railway Construction Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, “The Dongtan Urban Railway is highly anticipated as an eco-friendly new transportation mode that can improve the metropolitan transportation network not only in Hwaseong but also in neighboring areas. Gyeonggi Province will do its best to cooperate so that Hwaseong, Suwon, and Osan can successfully advance the Dongtan Tram.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s approval details regarding the modification of the Dongtan Urban Railway basic plan are scheduled to be officially announced in early December.
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