Eunpyeong-gu Fully Connected with Comprehensive Transportation System... Original Plan of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan Confirmed

On the 29th of last month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the finalization of the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan... Extension of Sinbundang Line to the northwest, Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, and new Gyeongbu High-Speed Line section 'Susaek~Gwangmyeong' confirmed

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a Railway Industry Committee meeting on the 29th of last month to finalize the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan.

The 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan is a mid- to long-term statutory plan outlining the basic direction and route expansion plans for railway network construction over the next 10 years, from 2021 to 2030.

The finalized 4th National Railway Network Plan confirmed all three railway lines passing through Eunpyeong-gu, which were proposed at the public hearing in April (northwestern extension of the Shinbundang Line, establishment of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line, and the new Susaek-Gwangmyeong section of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line) as originally planned, which is expected to help improve the transportation environment in the Eunpyeong-gu area.

Until now, Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) has made various efforts to address the explosive transportation demand caused by the rapid expansion of apartment supply in new towns such as Goyang Samsong, Wonheung, Hyangdong, and Jichuk districts, followed by the construction of the 3rd Changneung New Town and the establishment of the National Korean Literature Museum, while the metropolitan transportation network has been significantly insufficient.

To expedite the northwestern extension of the Shinbundang Line, the district has continuously conveyed residents' voices by requesting improvements to the preliminary feasibility study system reflecting new transportation demand to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, delivering a petition signed by 300,000 residents to related agencies (Seoul City, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Strategy and Finance), and holding residents' rallies urging early promotion.

Regarding the establishment of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line (formerly the Goyang Line) (from Goyang City Hall to Saejeol Station in Eunpyeong), efforts have been made to install Sinsagogae Station (between Saejeol Station and Hyangdong Station), a long-standing wish of Eunpyeong residents, by delivering residents' petitions to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Seoul City, and LH, as well as conducting multiple consultations with related agencies.

Additionally, Susaek Station and DMC Station on the Susaek-Gwangmyeong section of the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line will be designated as the (tentative name) Seoul Northern Station of the Eurasia Railway, which connects the north-south and continental railways by utilizing large-scale development sites and direct connection to Incheon International Airport, and will be developed as a transportation and logistics hub.

Moreover, the Western Light Rail connecting Saejeol Station, Sinchon, Yeouido, and Seoul National University Entrance (approximately 16 km), linking the northwest and southwest areas, passed the private investment feasibility study in June last year and is scheduled to begin construction by the end of 2023. The GTX-A line also started construction in June 2019 and aims to open in 2024, with the construction of Yeonsinnae Station and ventilation shafts progressing smoothly.

With the Western Light Rail and GTX-A line, and the three railway lines passing through Eunpyeong-gu included in this 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan completed, the transportation infrastructure in Eunpyeong-gu and the northwestern Seoul area is expected to be greatly improved, contributing to balanced development between Gangnam and Gangbuk.

Mayor Kim Mi-kyung stated, “Eunpyeong-gu has suffered from chronic traffic congestion on major arterial roads such as Tongil-ro and Susaek-ro for the past 10 years. With the confirmation of the three railway lines passing through Eunpyeong-gu this time, we expect significant contributions to the development of the long-neglected and underdeveloped northwestern Seoul and Eunpyeong-gu areas. We will do our best to ensure the project is promoted early together with the 480,000 residents of Eunpyeong-gu.”

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