Construction of Logistics Facility on Idle Land at Giheung IC... "Responding to Surging Logistics Demand"

Review of Promotion Plans for 33 Other Candidate Sites

Perspective view of the logistics facility pilot project on idle land near Giheung IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway (Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] On the 8th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that Korea Expressway Corporation and the Global Networks Consortium signed an agreement to establish logistics facilities on approximately 16,000㎡ of idle land near Giheung IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway.

The Ministry and the Expressway Corporation plan to expand logistics facilities by utilizing idle expressway land such as closed roads that are no longer in use, and sites of former service areas and rest stops, to respond to the rapidly increasing logistics demand due to COVID-19 and other factors.

Among the candidate sites, the idle land near Giheung IC is located at a geographically strategic point within the metropolitan area, making it a highly demanded location by the logistics industry. Therefore, it was selected as the pilot project site and prioritized for implementation.

The Global Networks Consortium was selected as the preferred negotiator in December last year through a proposal evaluation process, and after negotiations with the Expressway Corporation on project details, it was finally chosen as the project operator.

The project operator will establish a special purpose company (SPC) for the pilot project and will begin full-scale design of the logistics facilities in the first half of this year. The plan aims for operation in the first half of 2023.

According to the proposal, the logistics warehouse will consist of two basement floors to four above-ground floors, equipped with refrigeration, freezing, and fulfillment facilities, along with ancillary facilities such as access roads connected to adjacent roads and parking lots.

The Ministry and the Expressway Corporation are also analyzing the feasibility of 33 other candidate sites, excluding the pilot project site, through a research project that has been underway since September last year.

Joo Hyun-jong, Director of the Road Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "By establishing logistics facilities on idle expressway land, we will contribute to improving the quality of logistics services for the public and reduce traffic accidents and environmental damage," adding, "We will proceed with the pilot project near Giheung IC and the roadmap establishment as planned without any setbacks."

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