Introduction of S-BRT in Gyeongin Expressway Generalization Project... Construction of 4-lane underground road from Dohwa to Seoincheon IC

Incheon Starting Point∼Dohwa IC Completion in 2023, Dohwa IC∼Seoincheon IC Completion in 2026

Gyeongin Expressway Generalization Project Section [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has finalized the detailed plan for the general road conversion project of the 10.45km section from the old Gyeongin Expressway (Incheon-daero) Incheon starting point to Seoincheon IC.

On the 19th, according to the city, the original plan, which was to have an upper road surface and an underground parking lot, was significantly revised to make the ground level a space solely for citizens' living, communication, and green areas, while promoting the undergrounding of the roadway.

The principle of removing the retaining walls and soundproof walls of the old Gyeongin Expressway, which blocked communication and movement between local residents and caused the decline of the surrounding old downtown area, is maintained. This is to resolve the newly emerged noise issues (exceeding legal standards) during the design phase and to create an eco-friendly and future-oriented road environment.

Accordingly, the city plans to leave only living-type roads and Super Bus Rapid Transit (S-BRT) on both sides of this road section, and expand parks and green spaces in the central median area that was used as a road divider.

S-BRT is a future transportation system called the "above-ground subway" because it can run without stopping at intersections by applying exclusive lanes and priority signal systems.

Earlier, Incheon was selected as a pilot project area for S-BRT by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in January. Incheon City has also requested the government to extend the S-BRT to Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and to underground the section from Seoincheon IC to Sinwol IC.

With the introduction of S-BRT, commuting times from Incheon Port and near Inha University to Seoul are expected to be drastically reduced, greatly contributing to the revitalization of the old downtown area.

Additionally, a four-lane road construction project is being promoted underground for the 6.75km section from Dohwa IC to Seoincheon IC.

The total project cost for Incheon-daero is 856 billion KRW, including the construction of the S-BRT road and the underground road project. Last November, the city applied to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to include the 6.75km Dohwa to Seoincheon section in the congestion road improvement plan. If accepted, 50% of the 756 billion KRW urban expressway project cost will be supported.

The city has set the completion targets as 2023 for the 3.7km section from Incheon starting point to Dohwa IC, and 2026 for the 6.75km section from Dohwa IC to Seoincheon IC.

The section from the Incheon starting point of the Gyeongin Expressway to Seoincheon IC was converted to a general road in December 2017 following Incheon City's proposal, and management authority was transferred from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Incheon City.

An Incheon City official said, "The old Gyeongin Expressway generalization project aims to connect Incheon's living zones, which were divided by the road, into one and return the space to the citizens." He added, "We plan to finalize the detailed project plan after collecting opinions through citizen participation councils and resident briefings by September."

Meanwhile, the regeneration project around Incheon-daero has also entered the main track.

The "Path of the Person Returning After 50 Years" project, promoted as an urban regeneration New Deal project, had its activation plan approved last year, and with a budget of 158 billion KRW confirmed, financial projects such as the Seoknam Turtle Base will be actively executed starting this year.

The district unit plan for strengthening neighborhood commercial functions and activating pedestrian traffic in the surrounding area (including changes in land use zones) is also expected to be decided around September.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.