Three Major Projects Included: Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway, Samcheok-Gangneung High-Speed Railway, and More
Mayor Park Sangsoo: "We Will Cooperate with the Central Government and Gangwon Province to Ensure Smooth Progress"
Samcheok City in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is preparing for a new leap in regional development by reflecting major pending projects in next year's government budget. The 2026 budget proposal newly includes the Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway, the Samcheok-Gangneung High-Speed Railway, and the Economic Promotion and Development Project for Abandoned Mine Areas (Carbon Ion Accelerator Cancer Treatment Center), accelerating the resolution of long-standing regional issues and laying the foundation for future growth.
The Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway, with a total project cost of 5.6 trillion won, will serve as a main artery connecting the inland areas of Chungbuk and southern Gangwon with the East Coast. After passing the preliminary feasibility study in January, the allocation of a new 5 billion won budget for next year will make it possible to begin the detailed design and commence construction in earnest.
Once the expressway is completed, the Seoul metropolitan area, inland Chungbuk, southern Gangwon, and the East Coast will be connected, which is expected to reduce logistics costs, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and revitalize the local economy by attracting more tourists.
The Samcheok-Gangneung High-Speed Railway, a key section connecting the Donghae Line railway network, is currently undergoing a preliminary feasibility study. This time, a new 1 billion won has been allocated for the study and basic planning, raising expectations for a positive outcome in the preliminary feasibility study scheduled for the end of the year. The Samcheok-Gangneung High-Speed Railway, as a core section of the Donghae Line, is expected to not only boost tourism along the East Coast but also significantly enhance the competitiveness of logistics and the overall industrial sector.
The Economic Promotion and Development Project for Abandoned Mine Areas (Carbon Ion Accelerator-Based Cancer Treatment Center) will serve as a foundation for innovative growth in former mining regions. After passing the preliminary feasibility study in August, 4.5 billion won in national funding has been allocated, allowing the project to move forward in earnest. Once a medical cluster based on the carbon ion accelerator is established, the Dogye area, a former mining region, is expected to emerge as a hub for advanced cancer treatment and the medical industry.
With this secured national funding, Samcheok City will be able to simultaneously pursue three major tasks: expanding transportation SOC, transforming the industrial structure, and regenerating abandoned mine areas.
Park Sangsoo, Mayor of Samcheok, said, "This inclusion of national funding is a meaningful achievement that will drive balanced regional development and activate Samcheok's future growth engines," adding, "We will work closely with the central government, Gangwon Province, and political circles to ensure the smooth progress of these projects."
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