A total investment of 381.4 billion KRW...
Design to be completed by the end of this year, construction to begin next year
When it opens in 2029, travel from Taehwagang Station to Sinbok will take about 28 minutes one way
The construction project of Ulsan Urban Railway Line 1 (Tram) has finally entered the main track.
On the 10th, Ulsan City received approval for the basic plan of Urban Railway Line 1 (Tram) from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee.
Line 1 of the tram is a project to build an eco-friendly catenary-free hydrogen electric tram line, 10.85 km long with 15 stations, from Taehwagang Station to Sinbok Intersection in Ulsan, the only metropolitan city without an urban railway.
The total project cost is 381.4 billion KRW, with construction starting next year and scheduled to open in 2029.
Double-track tram lines will be installed in the center of major roads such as Samsan-ro, Munsu-ro, and Daehak-ro, and nine vehicles will be deployed to operate at 10-minute intervals during rush hours and 15-minute intervals at other times.
Ulsan City held a public hearing in the first half of last year and gathered opinions from the city council to obtain approval for the basic plan, and applied for approval from the Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee in August of the same year.
Additionally, to minimize traffic issues caused by tram construction, a "Pre-traffic System Efficiency Improvement Service" was conducted, discussing system improvements at the Gongeoptap Rotary and lane operation plans in advance with traffic experts including the National Police Agency. In-depth analysis and review will continue during the design process.
To minimize construction time, efficiently manage complex construction, and ensure stable quality, the construction method will proceed with a design-build lump-sum bidding method, with a bidding announcement planned for March.
The design-build lump-sum bidding (Turn Key method) means that the contractor submits the design documents and other necessary drawings and documents for construction along with the bid according to the basic plan and guidelines presented by the ordering agency, and the same contractor carries out both design and construction.
With the selection of the contractor, design will be carried out until the end of this year, and after receiving project plan approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee, full-scale construction will begin next year.
When the tram opens in 2029, it is estimated to take about 28 minutes one way from Taehwagang Station to Sinbok, expected to become a fast and convenient means of transportation during rush hour congestion.
A city official said, "Major arterial road construction due to the introduction of the tram, the first in Ulsan, is expected to cause traffic inconvenience to citizens," adding, "We will proceed with construction considering citizens' safety and minimizing inconvenience, and we ask for citizens' great interest and understanding as convenient public transportation is expected upon opening."
Regarding Line 2, the north-south axis connecting Buk-Ulsan Station to Yaeum Intersection, the city plans to focus administrative efforts to reapply for the preliminary feasibility study this year after close consultation with the government to get selected.
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