Seokdong-Sosa Road Scheduled to Open in April

Jinhae Tunnel (6.1 km) Is the Longest Nationwide on General Roads

View of the terminal section of the Seokdong-Sosa road.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] The 4-lane road construction project for the 7.03 km section between Sosadong and Seokdong in Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam, has been completed and is scheduled for temporary opening in April.

According to the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, construction began in 2009 and, after difficult work tunneling under Wongsan (703m above sea level) located between Jaeun-dong and Sosadong in Jinhae-gu, the project was completed at the end of December 2020, 11 years later.

Currently, Changwon City is conducting comprehensive test operations and coordinating with related agencies for the temporary opening.

Once the road opens, it will serve as an alternative bypass road for National Route 2, which passes near the densely populated residential areas of Jinhae-gu and Jinhae Jaeun 3 District.

This is expected to have a significant effect on alleviating congested urban traffic.

Additionally, it will connect with the Second Anmin Tunnel and the Guigok-Haengam road, scheduled to open in 2023, establishing itself as a major artery for access to the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone along with the New Port Second Hinterland Expressway.

In particular, the Jinhae Tunnel, with a total length of 6.1 km, is the longest tunnel on general roads nationwide, excluding expressways.

Accordingly, scenic lighting reflecting local characteristics will be installed in each lane to alert drivers during the long tunnel drive.

Furthermore, fire automatic detectors, automatic ventilation and water spray systems, 24-hour video detection systems, and integrated control systems for both directions are designed.

According to future traffic volume analysis, the road between Seokdong in Jinhae and Noksan in Busan is expected to see continuous traffic growth, with 114% in 2025 and 120% in 2035 compared to 2016.

This will reduce travel time by more than 15 minutes when using the existing road from Jinhae-gu to Gangseo-gu.

Moreover, once the Guigok-Haengam road opens in the future, it is expected to save over 5 billion KRW annually in operating costs, including logistics transport vehicles.

Ha Seungcheol, head of the Free Economic Zone Authority, said, "With the road opening improving traffic convenience in the Free Economic Zone, we expect to gain more momentum in attracting foreign investment companies," adding, "During the remaining term, we will do our best without wavering to play a central role in the promotion of Gaduk New Airport, Jinhae New Port, and the Southeast Mega City."

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