Seoul City Approves 3.93km Extension of Uisinseol Line... Construction to Start Next Year

3 New Stations Added Between Solbat Park Station on Ui-Sinseol Line and Banghak Station on Line 1
"Alleviating Local Traffic Inconvenience"
Basic Plan Approved... Construction Starts Next Year, Completion Targeted for 2031

The extension of the Uisinseol Line, which passes through Banghak-dong and Ssangmun-dong in Dobong-gu, a representative transportation underserved area in Seoul, will be actively promoted. This line connects Solbat Park Station on the Uisinseol Line and Banghak Station on Line 1, and is expected to significantly alleviate transportation inconveniences in areas lacking light rail transit.

On the 7th, Seoul City announced that it will actively proceed with the project following the approval of the basic plan for the Uisinseol Line extension by the Metropolitan Area Transport Committee (DATC) on the 6th. Previously, since 2021, Seoul City had established the 'Basic Urban Railway Plan for the Uisinseol Line Extension' and requested approval from DATC in August last year. Accordingly, DATC completed consultations with related ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance and expert institutions in accordance with Article 6 of the Urban Railway Act and approved the basic plan.

Route map of the Uisinseol extension line.
[Photo by Seoul City]

This extension project involves branching off from Solbat Park Station and constructing three stations over a total length of 3.93 km to Banghak Station (Line 1). Considering that this area is a high-density residential zone but has suffered difficulties in public transportation use and regional development due to a lack of urban railway infrastructure, the project is expected to improve public transportation convenience from the northeastern area to the city center as well as contribute to balanced regional development.

Seoul City plans to proceed with preliminary procedures such as basic and detailed design and begin construction from next year. The total project cost is 426.7 billion KRW (national funding 155.9 billion KRW, city funding 270.8 billion KRW), with completion scheduled for 2031.

Upon opening, the section from Solbat Park Station to Bukhansan Ui Station and Banghak Station will be operated at a 1:1 ratio. From Sinseol-dong Station to Solbat Park Station, trains will run at approximately 3-minute intervals during peak hours, while the sections from Solbat Park Station to Bukhansan Ui Station and to Banghak Station will operate at 6-minute intervals each. Once the extension opens, the Uisinseol Line will become a major light rail line with five transfer stations. Currently, there are three transfer stations: Sinseol-dong Station (Line 2), Bomun Station (Line 6), and Sungshin Women's University Station (Line 4), with two more added: Solbat Park Station (Uisinseol Line) and Banghak Station (Line 1).

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul City Urban Transportation Office, said, "Although there were many challenges such as traffic demand forecasting during the basic plan establishment process, we have devoted all efforts to ensure the light rail project, which local residents have awaited for about 13 years, gets on track. Through the Uisinseol Line extension, the urban railway axis in the northeastern area will be completed, providing an opportunity to drive regional development and revitalization. We will make every effort to ensure prompt construction and project promotion."

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