On May 2, Incheon City announced that it will proceed with a basic planning service to prepare for the conversion of the above-ground section of the Gyeongin Expressway into a general road, following the project's passing of a preliminary feasibility study in January.
The Gyeongin Expressway underground project involves a total investment of 1.378 trillion won to construct a 15.3-kilometer, four-lane underground expressway from Cheongna 1-dong in Incheon Seo-gu to the Sinwol Interchange in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.
Once the new underground expressway is built beneath the existing Gyeongin Expressway, the current above-ground expressway will be converted into a general road, and at-grade intersections will be created. This is expected to alleviate chronic traffic congestion and resolve issues of urban disconnection and impaired cityscape in Incheon.
In addition, the route is expected to become the fastest road connection between downtown Seoul and Incheon International Airport, as it will link with the Incheon Third Link Bridge (connecting Yeongjong International City and Cheongna International City), which is scheduled to open at the end of this year.
The city plans to reduce the number of lanes on the above-ground road and create green spaces in the center to mitigate environmental issues such as noise, exhaust fumes, and airborne dust.
Incheon City is working closely with local lawmakers and the political community to ensure that the project budget required for the feasibility evaluation, overseen by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is included in this year's government supplementary budget, with the goal of starting the underground project as soon as possible.
Since its opening in 1968, the Gyeongin Expressway has played a pivotal role in South Korea's industrialization, but it has also caused significant inconvenience to citizens due to the disconnection of Incheon's urban area.
An official from Incheon City stated, "If the above-ground road is converted into a general road, the possibility of realizing the long-awaited toll-free expressway for Incheon citizens will increase," adding, "We will proactively establish a basic plan for the above-ground road and promote the project in a way that suits Incheon's circumstances."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
