Gwanak-gu Western Line (Seoul National University Entrance Station~Seoul National University Main Gate) and Nangok Line (Nanhyang Elementary School~Boramae Park) Project Officially Launched

Subway Lines 1, 2, 5, 7, and 9 Connected with 3 Light Rail Lines, Establishing a Well-Connected Urban Transportation Network

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (District Mayor Park Jun-hee) announced that with the approval of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Urban Railway Network Construction Plan by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the extension of the Western Light Rail Line (Seoul National University Entrance Station to Seoul National University Main Gate) and the Nangok Line (Nanhyang Elementary School to Boramae Park) projects are expected to accelerate.

The 2nd Seoul Urban Railway Network Construction Plan announced on the 17th mainly includes the establishment or extension of 11 urban railway lines, including the Western Line, by 2030 to promote balanced regional development and reduce railway transportation underserved areas.

Gwanak-gu has only one subway line, Line 2, running east-west, causing significant inconvenience in public transportation use. However, with the construction of the Western Line and Nangok Line alongside the Sillim Light Rail Line, targeted for opening in 2022, the transportation environment is expected to improve dramatically.

So far, the district has made considerable efforts to introduce the light rail early. To extend the Western Line, originally planned to open only from Saejeol in Eunpyeong-gu to Seoul National University Entrance, to Seoul National University Main Gate, the district submitted a statement to Seoul City emphasizing the necessity of the extension, formed a consultative body with Seoul National University, and took various joint measures.

As a result, a new station approximately 1.72 km long connecting Seoul National University Entrance Station to Seoul National University Main Gate will be established, completing a railway network where the Sillim Line and Western Line connect at the ‘Seoul National University Main Gate’ station.

Meanwhile, Seoul City plans to announce a third-party proposal for selecting a private operator for the main Western Line section (Saejeol~Sinchon~Seoul National University Entrance) in December and start construction in 2023.

Additionally, the Nangok Line will cover a 4.08 km section connecting Nanhyang-dong to Boramae Park, linking Line 2’s Sindaebang Station and the Sillim Light Rail Line, with five new stations to be established.

The Nangok Line is a long-standing resident demand project delayed for 15 years since the announcement of the plan to introduce new transportation means in the transportation underserved area of Nangok. It has shifted from a private investment project to a public finance project, enabling early construction and accelerating project progress.

Seoul City plans to proceed with preliminary feasibility studies, establish basic plans for each line, and complete basic and detailed designs to commence construction as soon as possible.

Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, said, “The construction of the light rail in Gwanak-gu, an area underserved by urban railway infrastructure, will not only solve transportation problems but also serve as a catalyst to promote regional development by improving accessibility to the city center.” He added, “We will continue to work closely with Seoul City and related agencies to ensure the urban railway opens without any setbacks.”

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