Rapid Implementation for the Busan-bound Direction, Separate Feasibility Study for the Seoul-bound Direction
Smooth Progress in Both Directions... Securing the Golden Time with a Two-Track Strategy
Yangsan City, Gyeongnam, has officially announced the implementation of the long-awaited ‘Sasong Hi-Pass IC Bidirectional Project’ in response to the development of the Sasong Public Housing District, a key local issue.
In particular, to ensure smooth progress in both directions, the city plans to promptly proceed with the ‘Busan-bound direction’ first, while conducting a separate feasibility study for the ‘Seoul-bound direction’ as part of a ‘two-track strategy’ to make the most of the golden time.
For the Busan-bound direction, following the results of the adjustment meeting on the Sasong District Hi-Pass IC held by the Metropolitan Area Transportation Committee in September 2023, it was decided that Yangsan City and LH would each bear the project costs for the Busan-bound direction, based on the analysis of Hi-Pass IC usage demand inside and outside the Sasong District in the installation service. The study is currently underway.
The city plans to swiftly proceed with procedures such as submitting the feasibility report to the Korea Expressway Corporation as soon as the results are available.
For the Seoul-bound direction, since LH has expressed reluctance, Yangsan City will secure the feasibility study budget with municipal funds and, in the upcoming study, will seek to ensure sufficient economic feasibility through B/C analysis and other methods, while also exploring ways to reduce project costs, such as securing national funding.
This phased approach is considered necessary as a ‘two-track strategy’ to avoid missing the golden time for the Busan-bound direction, while also securing feasibility for the Seoul-bound direction and gaining a strategic advantage in cost-sharing negotiations with LH. This is based on precedents such as the Yucheon Hi-Pass IC, which passes through Daegu and Dalseong-gun and was opened in phases, with the first phase (Kumho-bound) already operational and the second phase (Hyeonpung-bound) currently underway.
Mayor Na Dongyeon stated, “Our city is strongly committed to promoting the Sasong Hi-Pass IC in both directions, and we will move quickly with a two-track strategy to ensure we do not miss the golden time. We will do our utmost to coordinate with LH, the Korea Expressway Corporation, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and other related agencies to ensure smooth progress, and we ask for continued interest and support from our residents.”
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