4.7 km from Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun to Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si... Travel time reduced by 20 minutes
"It should serve as an opportunity to revitalize the local economy through prompt budget allocation and project commencement"
Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Choi Moon-soon) announced on the 13th that the construction project of the Gwangdeok Tunnel in Sanae-myeon, a long-cherished wish of Hwacheon residents, has passed the final hurdle of the government's preliminary feasibility study.
On the 13th, the government concluded at the ‘2nd Financial Project Evaluation Committee of 2025’ that the Gwangdeok Tunnel project is necessary for the connection of the east-west transverse road and the development of the northern Gangwon region based on the re-investigation of the tunnel's feasibility.
Local Road No. 372 passing through Gwangdeok Pass. Due to numerous steep slopes and winding sections, the construction of a tunnel is urgently needed. Photo by Hwacheon County Office
Accordingly, the Gwangdeok Tunnel construction project, with a total length of 4.8 km connecting Sanae-myeon in Hwacheon-gun, a border area, and Idong-myeon in Pocheon-si, northern Gyeonggi region, has effectively entered the final countdown.
With the Gwangdeok Tunnel project passing the preliminary feasibility study, 70% of the total project cost of 139.1 billion KRW, amounting to 97.4 billion KRW, will be supported by national funds, and the remaining cost will be equally borne by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gyeonggi Province, each contributing 20.8 billion KRW.
Once the tunnel opens, the travel speed is expected to increase from the current 40 km/h to over 60 km/h, and travel time will be drastically reduced from 26 minutes to 5 minutes.
Sanae-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, where the tunnel is located, suffered a significant blow with a sharp population decline and regional economic devastation following the disbandment of the 27th Division Igija unit in 2022.
Hwacheon-gun is focusing its administrative power to revitalize the local economy of Sanae-myeon, using the Gwangdeok Tunnel construction as a signal fire.
This year, Hwacheon-gun is constructing a large 18-hole park golf course in Sachang-ri, Sanae-myeon, and is also working on the development of the 2nd agricultural and industrial complex.
Additionally, efforts are being made to prepare infrastructure for population inflow, including the Sanae Education Community Center, an all-day elementary care facility, silver housing, rental apartments, and residential complexes.
Through these efforts, the strategy is to create quality jobs in the region, attract tourists through park golf and the Tomato Festival, and simultaneously draw residents to live in the area.
The construction of the Gwangdeok Tunnel is also expected to greatly contribute to national security and balanced national development.
It will enhance the safety and efficiency of military operations and realize the connection of a super-regional road in the border area running east-west from Incheon Ganghwa through Gyeonggi Gimpo and Dongducheon to Goseong.
The local community is also showing high expectations for the Gwangdeok Tunnel construction, with welcome banners being displayed everywhere.
Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Hwacheon-gun, said, “Now that the preliminary feasibility study has passed, I hope the project will start promptly with swift budget allocation and execution.”
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