Seoul~Munsan Expressway Opens on the 7th... Cuts 40 Minutes in Preparation for Unification Road

(Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 6th that the Seoul~Munsan Expressway will open on the 7th.

The Seoul~Munsan Expressway is a 35.2 km long, 4 to 6 lanes (both directions) road connecting Gangmae-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province to Naepori, Munsan-eup, Paju-si. Approximately 2.119 trillion KRW has been invested since construction began in November 2015.

Once the road opens, traffic flow on the congested Jayuro and Tongillo roads is expected to improve. Accessibility from the northwestern Gyeonggi region to Seoul and southern Gyeonggi areas is also expected to be greatly enhanced.

Tongillo (Paju Wollong~Gupabal) is expected to see a reduction of about 8,000 vehicles per day, and Jayuro (Goyang Jangwol~Gimpo Bridge) about 27,000 vehicles per day. Travel time is predicted to be about 40 minutes (8 km) faster compared to Tongillo and about 10 minutes (10 km) faster compared to Jayuro.

In particular, residents of the 2nd phase new town, Paju Unjeong New Town, and the Goyang Changneung District, designated as a 3rd phase new town last March, will be able to use the metropolitan expressway network more conveniently.

As a radial route connecting the 1st and 2nd metropolitan ring roads, it is expected to overall enhance the efficiency of the metropolitan road network.

The Seoul~Munsan Expressway is the northern section of the national arterial road network’s north-south axis, directly connecting Iksan in Jeonbuk, Buyeo in Chungnam, Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi, and Seoul, with future plans to extend to Kaesong and Pyongyang.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport emphasized, "As an essential transportation facility for inter-Korean economic exchange and cooperation, it is expected to serve as a 'gateway to the unification era.'"

The toll fee is 2,900 KRW for small vehicles traveling the entire route.

Joo Hyunjong, Director of the Road Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "With the opening of the Seoul~Munsan Expressway, traffic conditions in the northwestern metropolitan area, including new towns, will be dramatically improved, and development in the border areas is expected to accelerate."

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