Design Work Begins for Seoul Line 7 Cheongna Extension Sections 1 and 2... Construction to Start by End of Next Year

Seoul Subway Line 7 Cheongna Extension Route Map [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Incheon Urban Railway Construction Headquarters announced on the 4th that it has commenced the basic and detailed design services for Sections 1 and 2 of the Seoul Subway Line 7 Cheongna Extension Project.

In this project, the headquarters will determine the detailed route and station locations for the 7km section from Seoknam Station to Cheongna 5-gyo Bridge, prepare the design documents necessary for actual construction, and calculate the construction costs.

The headquarters plans to complete the basic and detailed design services for Sections 1 and 2 by August next year, making maximum use of the design standards from the ongoing basic and detailed design services for Sections 3 and 4 of the Cheongna Extension Line. Construction is scheduled to start around the end of the year, aiming for opening in 2027.

The construction of Sections 1 and 2 of the Cheongna Extension Line was originally planned as a turnkey project combining design and construction. However, in the first and second announcements in November and December last year, only one company participated, resulting in failed bids. To expedite construction, Sections 1 and 2 were combined into a single order in February this year, but again only one company participated, leading to another failed bid.

In response to repeated bid failures, the headquarters changed the bidding method to 'other construction' by separating design and construction. The participation rate of local companies involved in the design services was increased to 30% for Section 1 and 32% for Section 2, up from 17% under the turnkey project, providing support to the local economy affected by COVID-19. The participation rate of local companies will be raised to 40% when the construction contract is awarded.

Currently, Seoul Subway Line 7 operates on a 57.1km section from Jangam Station to Bupyeong-gu Office Station. The project to extend the line 4.2km from Bupyeong-gu Office Station to Seoknam Station in Seo-gu, Incheon, is under construction with a target opening by the end of this year.

The Cheongna Extension Line will be constructed over a 10.7km section (6 stations) from Seoknam Station to Cheongna International City Station on the Airport Railroad, with a total project cost of 1.3 trillion won.

Once Seoul Subway Line 7 is extended from Seoknam Station to Cheongna International City Station, travel time from Cheongna to Seoul Guro will be reduced from the current 78 minutes to 42 minutes, and direct access to Gangnam without transfers will be possible, significantly improving accessibility to Seoul.

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