Gyeonggi Province Welcomes Passage of Preliminary Feasibility Study for "Western Metropolitan Express Railway"
Governor Kim Dongyeon's Pledge, "Western Metropolitan Express Railway," Passes First Major Milestone
From Gimpo to Seoul in Just Over 20 Minutes... Hopes Rise for Easing Western Metropolitan Transportation Congestion
Governor Kim Dongyeon: "A Result That Will Transform Residents' Lives... Follow-up Procedures to Be Expedited"
The "Western Metropolitan Express Railway," a key project aimed at alleviating transportation congestion and promoting balanced development in the western region of the Seoul metropolitan area, has passed its first major hurdle toward realization.
On July 10, Gyeonggi Province announced that the Western Metropolitan Express Railway construction project had passed the preliminary feasibility study after review by the 7th Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee, which is overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The Western Metropolitan Express Railway is a project with a total budget of 2.671 trillion won, connecting 49 kilometers in total (21 kilometers of new track and 28 kilometers shared with the existing GTX-B line) from Janggi in Gimpo, through Geomdan and Gyeyang in Incheon, and Daejang in Bucheon, to Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul. Notably, from Bucheon Sports Complex Station, the line will share tracks with the GTX-B route, improving access to central Seoul areas such as Yeouido, Yongsan, Seoul Station, and Cheongnyangni.
The "Western Metropolitan Express Railway" has been a priority initiative for Gyeonggi Province since the start of the 8th popularly elected administration. Governor Kim Dongyeon has recognized the railway as a core axis for strengthening the western metropolitan transportation network, including the GTX-D line, and has continuously worked with the central government to expedite the preliminary feasibility study process.
In June, at the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Social Overhead Capital (SOC) Subcommittee, the province strongly emphasized the urgency and validity of the "Western Metropolitan Express Railway" project, supporting it through a multifaceted strategy. Gyeonggi Province has also closely cooperated with neighboring local governments such as Incheon Metropolitan City, Bucheon City, and Gimpo City, jointly advocating for the necessity of expanding the metropolitan transportation network in the region.
Governor Kim Dongyeon stated, "The Western Metropolitan Express Railway is not just a railway project but a key infrastructure that will transform the lives of residents in the northwestern part of the metropolitan area. Passing the preliminary feasibility study is the result of Gyeonggi Province's unwavering efforts, and we will focus all provincial resources to ensure that the subsequent procedures proceed swiftly."
With the project having passed the preliminary feasibility study, Gyeonggi Province plans to work closely with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to ensure that the next steps?such as establishing the basic plan, detailed design, and groundbreaking?proceed without delay. Furthermore, the province intends to actively support the necessary administrative processes so that the western metropolitan area can emerge as a core axis driving balanced development, rather than remaining a transportation-disadvantaged region.
Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to address transportation challenges such as balanced development and congestion relief, Gyeonggi Province has introduced the "GTX Plus" concept and is pursuing a balanced metropolitan transportation policy for the entire Seoul metropolitan area. GTX Plus is a key pledge of Governor Kim Dongyeon in the 8th popularly elected administration, aiming to expand the benefits of the GTX lines to areas that have not previously been served by building new GTX routes and thereby broadening the coverage area.
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