'No Progress' on Sorae IC Construction... Incheon City to Promote Linkage with Yeongdong Expressway Expansion

Sorae IC Location Map

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is promoting the construction of Sorae IC in connection with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Yeongdong Expressway expansion project.

According to the city on the 10th, Mayor Park Namchun stated in response to an online citizen petition video urging the installation of Sorae IC, "We will consult with related organizations such as Korea Expressway Corporation to link the relocation of Gunja Service Area on the Yeongdong Expressway and the Yeongdong Expressway expansion project with the Sorae IC installation project."

Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to expand the Yeongdong Expressway section from Seochang JC to Ansan IC, a frequent congestion area, on the premise of relocating the Gunja Service Area near Sorae IC.

Mayor Park said, "If the Gunja Service Area is relocated and the Yeongdong Expressway is expanded, there will be no need to install the Sorae IC service area," and added, "It is expected that the installation of Sorae IC will be possible without additional financial burden on Incheon City."

He continued, "However, even in this case, important considerations must be given to tolling the section from the current Gunja Service Area to Seochang JC and the increase in traffic volume on Cheongneung-daero," adding, "We will resolve the Sorae IC issue in a way that minimizes citizens' damage and burden while maximizing traffic convenience."

Sorae IC is a road connecting Cheongneung-daero, which crosses Nonhyeon-dong and Nonhyeon Gojan-dong in Namdong-gu, Incheon, with the Yeongdong Expressway. Although permission was granted by the then Ministry of Construction and Transportation in 1997 on the condition of installing a service area, there has been little progress since.

Incheon City felt burdened by the cost of more than 70 billion won to install the service area, and the tolling of the 10 km section from Gunja Service Area to Seochang Junction, which was previously free, caused residents' opposition.

However, considering the changed conditions around Sorae IC, such as the partial completion of Nonhyeon 2 District in Namdong-gu, and the fact that 71% of residents supported the construction of Sorae IC in a public opinion survey conducted in Namdong-gu last year, the city plans to actively discuss the direction of Sorae IC construction with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Expressway Corporation.

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