Will Goyang's "Railway Undergrounding" Stall?... Project Faces Uncertainty After City Council Budget Cut

Goyang City’s 700 Million Won Budget for Railway Undergrounding Study Cut, Project Stalled from the Start
12 Out of 23 Gyeonggi Cities with Above-Ground Railways Launch Basic Plan Studies
Integrated Underground Development Needed for 35 km of Gyeongui-Jungang, Ilsan, and Gyoe Lines
Above-Ground Railway Causes Urban Division, Noise, and Traffic Issues... Undergrounding Essential to Address Citizen Inconvenience

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) has encountered a major setback at the outset of its ambitious "Integrated Railway Underground Development" project, which was designed to address urban division and noise issues caused by above-ground railways, due to a failure to secure funding.

A view of Goyang Special City Hall. Provided by Goyang Special City.

According to Goyang City on December 19, the city had allocated 700 million won in next year's main budget for a "basic plan study for integrated railway underground development," but the entire amount was recently cut during the city council's review process. As a result, the city's plan to reflect local conditions in line with higher-level national policies has inevitably been disrupted.

The "basic plan study for integrated railway underground development in Goyang City" aims to examine the feasibility of undergrounding the entire 18-kilometer Gyeongui-Jungang Line, a 5-kilometer section of the Ilsan Line (Daegok Station, Wondang Station, Jichuk Station), and the entire 12-kilometer Gyoe Line. The plan also includes integrated development measures such as urban development projects, station area development, and public housing projects utilizing the land that would become available above the underground railways.

Currently, Goyang City continues to experience problems such as noise, vibration, and dust due to the operation of above-ground railways, leading to growing calls for railway undergrounding. In particular, the area around the Gyeongui-Jungang Line is equipped with underpasses, bridges, and pedestrian overpasses, resulting in frequent traffic congestion and numerous complaints from residents.

Other local governments are also moving quickly to address these issues. Of the 23 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province through which above-ground railways pass, 12 are already conducting basic plan studies for integrated railway underground development. Under these circumstances, it is more necessary than ever for Goyang City to review measures for long-term urban restructuring and environmental improvements in areas near above-ground railways.

A Goyang Special City official stated, "In line with the national comprehensive plan schedule, Goyang City must necessarily establish a railway undergrounding plan suitable for local conditions," adding, "We will work closely with the city council to explore future action plans to ensure smooth project implementation."