Borongjae Tunnel, a Long-Awaited Project in Jeonbuk, "Must Be Pushed Forward This Time"

Published 11 Aug.2021 21:50(KST)

Strong Public Opinion for Inclusion in the '5th National and Local Road 5-Year Plan' for Traffic Safety and Regional Balanced Development

National Route 26 Borongjae connecting Soyang-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk and Bugwi-myeon, Jinan-gun.

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Public opinion strongly supports the promotion of the Borongjae Tunnel construction on National Route 26, connecting Soyang-myeon in Wanju-gun and Bugwi-myeon in Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk Province.

Borongjae, also called ‘Sotaejeongjae,’ is a section filled with regret and pain for the residents of Jeonbuk.

This section, used when traveling between Jeonju and Muju, Jinan, and Jangsu, also serves as a replacement for the old Moraejae pass.

On September 17, 1989, a local bus carrying 81 passengers rolled down about 70 meters while crossing Moraejae. As a result, 25 passengers who had returned from ancestral rites or hometown visits during the Chuseok holiday died, and 56 were seriously or moderately injured.

Since then, there has been a strong demand for the construction of a safe and fast road to replace the dangerous Moraejae.

At that time, unexpectedly, the 1997 Muju Winter Universiade was confirmed to be held.

Accordingly, the government began improving the road facilities on National Route 26 connecting Bugwi-myeon in Jinan and Soyang-myeon in Wanju. The core plan was to install a tunnel between Soyang-myeon, Wanju-gun, and Bugwi-myeon, Jinan-gun.

However, due to the tight construction schedule, the originally planned tunnel opening was canceled. Moreover, considering the mountainous terrain, the road was constructed as a general road with many continuous sharp curves and steep slopes.

This hasty road construction gave the National Route 26 section between Soyang, Wanju, and Bugwi, Jinan, the notorious nicknames of ‘Road of Death’ and ‘Cursed Road.’

More than 900 traffic accidents occur annually, ranking the road’s risk score among the highest nationwide.

As a result, for safety reasons, residents of Muju, Jinan, and Jangsu often travel to places like Daejeon rather than Jeonju, causing regional imbalance.

Since 2007, Jeonbuk Province has been analyzing the road’s problems and consistently proposing the tunnel opening.

In this process, in 2006, the project was included in the ‘4th National and Local Road 5-Year Plan (2015?2020)’ as a linear improvement project that did not require a preliminary feasibility study, but later shifted to a tunnel project during the design phase.

The problem lies in the project cost.

If a tunnel is installed, the project cost reaches 68.5 billion KRW, requiring a preliminary feasibility review.

Considering that the preliminary feasibility study assesses economic viability based on cost-benefit analysis, it is evaluated that passing the review will be difficult for the Borongjae Tunnel installation, which is already controversial in terms of economic feasibility.

At best, there is hope in the ‘comprehensive preliminary feasibility study,’ which evaluates policy aspects, regional balanced development, and road safety.

Accordingly, voices are rising in the region demanding that the government directly manage the National Route 26 Jinan Bugwi?Wanju Soyang road facility improvement project (Borongjae Tunnel installation) by including it in the ‘5th National and Local Road 5-Year Plan (2021?2025).’

This is because it is expected to reduce traffic accident risks, establish an efficient logistics system, and shorten travel times.

Above all, it is anticipated to revitalize the regional economy and promote balanced regional development by improving accessibility to the three eastern Jeonbuk areas, including Jinan.

The Jeonbuk Province Council Chairpersons’ Association (Chairman Kang Dong-hwa, Jeonju City Council Chairman) strongly urged on the 27th to include the Borongjae Tunnel construction on National Route 26 in Jinan in the 5-year plan.

Jeonbuk Province, Jinan-gun, and political circles are also fully committed.

Member of the National Assembly Ahn Ho-young (Wanju, Jinan, Muju, Jangsu), who has long devoted efforts to advancing this issue, said, “I understand that the decision on whether to construct the Borongjae section tunnel will be made at the KDI comprehensive preliminary feasibility financial project review committee meeting on the 15th. Although time is limited, I will do my best to pass the comprehensive preliminary feasibility study and have it included in the 5-year plan.”