Momentum Grows as Honam Expressway Samnye I.C~Gimje I.C Expansion Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study

Opening by 2028... Expected to Alleviate Traffic Congestion and Reduce Logistics Costs in Jeonbuk Province

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Tae-in] The expansion project of the Honam Expressway from Samnye I.C to Gimje I.C has gained momentum as it passed the preliminary feasibility study.

According to Jeonbuk Province on the 26th, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance's 'Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee' recognized the overall feasibility of the Honam Expressway (Samnye I.C to Gimje I.C) expansion project in terms of economic efficiency and policy aspects.

The Honam Expressway is the gateway to Jeonbuk and a route that passes through its center, symbolizing great pride for the residents and serving as an important route that most vehicles visiting the region pass through to reach their main destinations.

The Honam Expressway expansion project involves investing a total of 231.5 billion KRW to widen the existing 18.3 km section from Wanggung-myeon, Iksan City (Samnye I.C) to Geumgu-myeon, Gimje City (Gimje I.C) from four lanes to six lanes.

Following the passage of the preliminary feasibility study, Jeonbuk Province plans to proceed with administrative procedures such as feasibility studies and basic and detailed designs by next year, aiming for opening in 2028.

Jeonbuk Province has continuously requested the prompt implementation of the project due to increased traffic volume caused by large-scale developments linked to the Honam Expressway, such as the full-scale Saemangeum development project and the Jeonju-Wanju Innovation City, and bottlenecks caused by the reduction of lanes within the same section.

Additionally, the expansion of the Honam Expressway is expected not only to improve traffic congestion caused by bottlenecks but also to significantly enhance vehicle safety by repairing poor alignments and aging facilities constructed in the 1970s.

Kim Hyung-woo, Director of the Construction and Transportation Bureau, said, "Passing the preliminary feasibility study will not only resolve traffic congestion but also reduce logistics costs and provide a safe and comfortable road environment, protecting the lives and property of residents," adding, "We will make further efforts to ensure the expressway expansion project is completed as soon as possible to promote balanced national development and regional growth."

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