Inauguration Committee Visits GTX Site: "We Will Make Commutes Between Gyeonggi·Incheon and Seoul Within 30 Minutes"

Won Hee-ryong (center), Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee and Planning Committee Chairman of the 20th Presidential Transition Committee, visited the construction site of Section 6 of the Greater Metropolitan Express Railroad (GTX) Line A in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 21st, asking questions to on-site personnel regarding the GTX project. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Won Hee-ryong, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee's Planning Committee, and members of the Economic Subcommittee 2 visited the construction site of the Metropolitan Area Express Train (GTX) in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on the 21st to discuss plans for expanding the GTX.

Chairman Won and the committee members visited the GTX-A Section 6 site, which connects Seoul Station and Samseong Station. This section is applying the eco-friendly construction method called the 'TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) method,' which uses a cylindrical boring machine to excavate tunnels, minimizing noise and vibration to expedite construction.

Residents from areas along the GTX-A line also attended the site visit, raising concerns about difficulties during commuting hours and requesting the swift and safe advancement of GTX construction. Chairman Won discussed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport the fulfillment of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s campaign promises, including extending existing GTX lines and establishing new routes.

Chairman Won stated that the GTX must be rapidly promoted to alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolitan area and improve commuting convenience and residential conditions. He also emphasized the importance of compact city construction and mixed-use development to supply new housing near station areas and secure funding for GTX construction.

Chairman Won said, "By properly and safely opening the GTX, we will fulfill the dream of a '30-minute commute' to Seoul for citizens of Gyeonggi and Incheon who endure exhausting daily commutes to Seoul, giving them more relaxed mornings and ample evenings with their families." He added, "We will expand the GTX to resolve residential location disparities within the metropolitan area and contribute to housing stability."

On the same day, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport pledged to strictly manage progress to ensure the GTX opens on schedule while maintaining safety, and reported plans to promote GTX expansion planning research to identify optimal routes that address transportation blind spots and enhance user satisfaction.

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