Goyang, a 'Well-Connected Transportation Hub' with 11 Railway Networks

GTX-A Changneung Station New Construction, Seohae Line Extension to Ilsan, Gyoeoseon Service Resumption

Current Status of Railway Operations and Route Plans in Goyang City [Goyang City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As the railway transportation network in the northern and southern metropolitan areas expands and a total of 11 railway lines?including 6 new lines and 5 line extensions, with 7 lines in Goyang City included in the '4th National Railway Network Construction Plan'?are established, the transportation conditions in Goyang City are gradually improving.

■ Seven Goyang City Lines Reflected in the '4th National Railway Network Construction Plan'

According to the '4th National Railway Network Construction Plan' announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport last July, as part of the metropolitan area traffic congestion relief project, the plan includes ▲Goyang Eunpyeong Line (Goyang City Hall~Saejeol Station) ▲Incheon Line 2 extension to Ilsanseo-gu (Ilsanseo-gu~Incheon Seo-gu) ▲Ilsan Line extension (Daehwa~Geumneung) ▲Shinbundang Line northwest extension (Samsong~Yongsan) ▲Daejang Hongdae Line (Bucheon Daejang~Hongdae Entrance).

As additional projects under review, the Jori Geumchon Line (Tongillo Line, Samsong~Geumchon) and the Gyeoeseo Line (Neunggok~Uijeongbu) were included, confirming all seven lines proposed by Goyang City.

Since these are reflected in the 10-year mid- to long-term statutory plan, after preliminary feasibility studies, the basic planning, design, and construction can proceed in earnest.

With the addition of Changneung Station in the 3rd Changneung New Town to the GTX-A line (Paju Unjeong~Hwaseong Dongtan) scheduled to open in December 2023, Goyang City will have a total of three GTX-A stations: Kintex, Daegok, and Changneung.

Once the GTX-A line opens, the travel time from Kintex through Daegok and Changneung to Gangnam is expected to be about 20 minutes.

■ West Sea Line (Daegok~Sosa) Extended to Ilsan Station

Perspective view of the Seohae Line (Daegok-Sosa) Hangang Underwater Tunnel [Goyang City]

The West Sea Line, which crosses the western metropolitan area north to south, has been extended from Goyang Daegok to Bucheon Sosa section to Ilsan Station, allowing travel without transfers.

The West Sea Line passes through Gimpo Airport Station and connects with seven lines including Subway Lines 3, 5, 7, and 9, as well as the Airport Railroad, Gimpo Subway, and Gyeongin Line.

The Han River underwater tunnel, a difficult construction section of the West Sea Line, was successfully penetrated, and the plan is to open the Daegok~Sosa section along with the Ilsan Station extension simultaneously in January 2023.

Since January this year, the Gyeongui Line express train has stopped at Tanhyeon Station, and the increase in Gyeongui Jungang Line train cars (from 4 to 8 cars) has been included in the 'Changneung District Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Measures.' A new transportation system is planned for the Siksa District.

The project to resume operation of the Gyeoeseo Line entered detailed design last month. From next year, improvements to tracks, signaling, and station facilities will be pursued, with reopening scheduled for 2024.

Goyang City is conducting a citywide signature campaign to have the KTX Gangneung Line, which opened in 2017, start from Haengsin Station.

■ Improvement of Traffic Congestion Areas

Wondang Middle School Front Turnaround [Goyang-si]

This year, left-turn pocket lanes were extended and new right-turn lanes were created at six traffic congestion areas including Ilsan Bridge, Goyang Sports Complex Intersection, Sanhyeon-ro, Neunggok Overpass Intersection, and Samsungdang Village entrance.

At Seonyurang Village and Seojeong Village, road corners were reorganized, and a turnaround lane was created in front of Wondang Middle School to facilitate smooth traffic flow.

To improve traffic in the Madu and Baekseok areas, a new Baekseok IC connecting Jayuro and the 2nd Jayuro was established, and an IC connecting Haengju-ro and the 2nd Jayuro in the Haengju Fortress Food Street area of Deogyang-gu will also be newly established.

Along with the establishment of two new M-bus lines, route straightening was promoted to reduce travel time. A new east-west connecting route linking Daehwa, Pungsan, and Sinwon-dong, where bus routes are scarce, was also created.

In Janghang 1-dong, Gusan-dong, Gobong-dong, Naeyu-dong, and Ogeum-dong, operation of six Goyang Nuri Bus lines began.

'Goyang Nuribus' Route Opening Ceremony [Goyang City]

In addition, public parking lots were secured in Hallyu World areas of Daehwa, Jeongbalsan, Madu, Baekseok, and Janghang-dong, and a public parking lot was created above the Wondang Underpass near Wondang Market, totaling 2,628 public parking spaces across 31 locations in the jurisdiction.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Goyang City said, "We expect that the dense railway network construction according to the 4th National Railway Network Construction Plan will improve commuting conditions for Goyang citizens," adding, "We have also created spacious parking spaces in the old downtown area where parking was previously impossible."

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