Jungnang-gu Takes Proactive Steps in Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Railway Underground Project

March Launch of Planning Service for Railway Urban Space Design and Development Plan
Targeting 9.1 km of Aboveground National Rail (Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Gyeongchun Line) in Jungnang-gu
Promoting Residential, Transportation, and Commercial Growth through Undergrounding and Multi-level Development of Surface Railways

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu

Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) is initiating preparatory work for the undergrounding of aboveground railroads and the utilization and development of the railroad site above ground.

This follows the enactment earlier this year of the Special Act on Undergrounding Railroads and Integrated Development of Railroad Sites (Special Act on Railroad Undergrounding).

The Special Act on Railroad Undergrounding, enacted earlier this year, primarily addresses the undergrounding of aboveground railroads and the development of the secured railroad sites and their surrounding areas. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced plans to establish a comprehensive plan for integrated railroad undergrounding development by 2025 and to receive proposals from local governments in September 2024 to select pilot projects.

Accordingly, the district office plans to commission a project to establish a railroad undergrounding business promotion plan within this month, in line with the Ministry’s schedule.

The main focus is on urban spatial concepts and development plans for the area above the aboveground railroad.

Through this project, the district intends to formulate a mid- to long-term strategy for railroad undergrounding and prepare measures to build the foundation for the project. It will also review related systems and the development and commercialization methods for the area above the undergrounded railroad site.

In the first half of the year, the district plans to establish a business promotion plan for the aboveground railroad sections of the Gyeongui-Jungang Line and Gyeongchun Line passing through Jungnang-gu, and in the second half, propose pilot projects to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The aim is to proactively establish the project foundation to strengthen the district’s competitiveness and advance the railroad undergrounding project.

Next year, to prepare spatial plans for the Gyeongui-Jungang Line and Gyeongchun Line, the district will collaborate with Dongdaemun-gu, Guri-si, Namyangju-si, and other areas along the routes to ensure the railroad undergrounding project is reflected in the Ministry’s comprehensive plan.

The spatial plan is expected to include types of three-dimensional complex development such as undergrounding and decking, as well as reviews of economic feasibility and business viability.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi said, “The railroad undergrounding project is an opportunity to bring meaningful development and change to the region’s residential areas, transportation, and commercial districts,” adding, “We will devote all efforts to selecting pilot projects and establishing desired routes to become a driving force for Jungnang-gu’s development.”

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