Seven Local Governments in Gyeonggi and Chungbuk Urge Early Commencement of Central Region Metropolitan Express Railway

Seven cities and counties in the Gyeonggi and Chungbuk regions have urged the government to expedite the early commencement of the Central Region Metropolitan Express Railway (JTX).

On the 14th, local government heads from Gyeonggi and Chungbuk regions urged the government to expedite the early commencement of the Central Region Metropolitan Express Railway at Cheongju International Airport. Provided by Yongin City

On the 7th, seven local governments-Seongnam, Yongin, Gwangju, Hwaseong, and Anseong in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Cheongju and Jincheon in Chungbuk Province-held a "JTX Early Commencement Resolution Rally" at the passenger terminal of Cheongju International Airport to make this request.

The JTX project, for which the local governments demanded early construction, is a 135-kilometer metropolitan express railway connecting Jamsil in Seoul to Gwangju, Yongin, Anseong, and Jincheon, and further linking Cheongju International Airport and KTX/SRT Osong Station.

In November last year, a private company submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. In August of this year, the ministry requested the Korea Development Institute (KDI) to conduct a feasibility study for private investment in the project. The estimated project cost is approximately 9 trillion won, and it is being pursued as a hybrid private investment project combining Build-Transfer-Operate (BTO) and Build-Transfer-Lease (BTL) models.

At the rally, participants emphasized the need for the KDI's feasibility study for private investment to be swiftly approved so that construction of the new railway can begin as soon as possible.

In a joint statement, the seven local governments highlighted that "the JTX, which connects the Seoul metropolitan area and the central region, is a key metropolitan transportation infrastructure that will address transportation imbalances between regions and help alleviate overcrowding in the metropolitan area." They added, "It can also contribute to revitalizing the airport by improving access to Cheongju International Airport and supporting the implementation of major national projects."

They further noted that this railway, through its connection with the Gyeonggang Line extension and the Metropolitan Inland Line, will link southeastern Gyeonggi Province and the central region, playing an important role in balanced development of the national railway network and revitalization of the regional economy.

Lee Sangil, Mayor of Yongin, stated, "The JTX is essential for the development of the semiconductor industry, including the successful establishment of the Yongin Idong and Namsa Advanced System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, which will determine the future competitiveness of Korea." He added, "I hope not only for the swift approval of the private feasibility study, but also for the prompt progress of subsequent administrative procedures such as the strategic environmental impact assessment."

Kim Bora, Mayor of Anseong, said, "The JTX is a core transportation infrastructure that will transform the future of Anseong and is a large-scale project that will drive mutual development between the metropolitan and central regions." She continued, "Taking this resolution rally as an opportunity, we will do our utmost to work closely with neighboring local governments to ensure the project proceeds quickly."

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