Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2 Construction Project Brings 'Vitality' to Local Economy

Relief Through 107.3 Billion KRW Construction Contracts Signed and Swift Execution in the First Half of the Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] The construction project of Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2 is revitalizing the local economy, which had been stagnating due to the spread of COVID-19 infections.

The Gwangju Metropolitan City Urban Railway Construction Headquarters announced on the 12th that the construction project of Urban Railway Line 2, which began in September last year, is being rapidly advanced according to the schedule of each process, and contracts worth 107.3 billion KRW have been signed in the first half of this year alone.

Currently, local companies are participating in major infrastructure sectors across all processes, including civil engineering works, structural works, ground reinforcement works, landscaping works, and relocation of underground facilities, which are underway by section.

It is expected to provide significant support to the local industry as the budget for this year will continue to be executed in the second half of the year.

Additionally, by utilizing construction materials such as steel and composite plates produced locally, as well as construction equipment like excavators, a virtuous cycle structure for the local industrial economy is being established. Priority employment of local labor at the construction sites is also generating an effect of circulating the project budget within the region.

Since the start of construction, the total number of employed personnel has reached 4,853 person-times, of which 4,698 person-times are local labor, and the number of local equipment usage cases has exceeded 1,970.

The usage rate of local labor and equipment surpasses 90% of the total.

The Urban Railway Headquarters signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year with six contractors of the first phase of Gwangju Urban Railway Line 2 and local Gwangju companies to expand local construction companies’ participation. They agreed to cooperate mutually throughout the project by increasing the subcontracting ratio for local construction companies, promoting the use of local materials and equipment, and prioritizing the employment of local residents.

The construction project of Urban Railway Line 2 is being promoted step-by-step in three phases.

The first phase covers an approximately 17 km section extending from City Hall through the World Cup Stadium and Baegun Square to Gwangju Station, including the main line, 20 stations, and one vehicle depot, with a project budget of 568.5 billion KRW to be invested by 2023.

Park Nam-ju, head of the Urban Railway Construction Headquarters, said, “Despite the impact of COVID-19, the construction of Urban Railway Line 2 is progressing smoothly, greatly aiding the stagnant local construction industry and further revitalizing the local economy. We plan to continue expanding local companies’ participation and increase the use of locally produced materials and equipment.”

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