Wirye-Sinsa Line Passes Pre-Feasibility Study... Seoul City: "Basic Plan Notice and Rapid Implementation"

Expedited Pre-Feasibility Approval for Wirye-Sinsa Line
Seoul Completes Preliminary Procedures in Advance
Oh Sehoon: "We Will Deliver on Our Promised Projects"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on March 10 that it will immediately commence the main project for the Wirye-Sinsa Line following the approval of the expedited preliminary feasibility study (pre-feasibility study). This move is expected to fulfill a long-held wish for residents in the southeastern region of Seoul, who have suffered from road congestion and transportation inconveniences for 18 years due to the lack of a railway.

The city stated that it would issue a notice for the establishment of the basic plan on the same day the pre-feasibility study was approved. Typically, it takes at least four months to complete preliminary procedures such as budget allocation and contract reviews before issuing a basic plan establishment service order after passing the pre-feasibility study. However, the city had already completed these procedures in advance.

Wirye Sinsa Line Route Map. Seoul Metropolitan Government

The approval of the expedited pre-feasibility study for the Wirye-Sinsa Line marks the first case among urban railway projects. The city explained the necessity and policy analysis results of the project at the Comprehensive Evaluation held by the Fiscal Project Evaluation Subcommittee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance on March 6. Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Byungmin personally expressed the city's commitment to advancing the project.

The Wirye-Sinsa Line is a light rail line connecting Wirye New Town and Sinsa Station, spanning a total length of 14.8 kilometers with the construction of 11 stations. Among these 11 stations, seven will be transfer stations, and the GTX Samsung station will provide connections across Seoul and the greater metropolitan area.

To expedite progress on the Seobu Line, which has faced difficulties in advancement, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to focus on pursuing the private investment project approach until the end of this month. However, the city is also considering either continuing with the private investment method through a re-announcement or switching to a government-funded investment approach.

Since January, the city has been conducting a new demand forecast survey to promote the project as a private investment initiative. It is also working on revising the network construction plan and conducting a preliminary feasibility study in preparation for a possible transition to a government-funded project.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon stated, "The approval of the pre-feasibility study for the Wirye-Sinsa Line is the result of mobilizing all of Seoul's administrative capabilities," adding, "We will continue to accelerate the process as we have done so far, shortening administrative procedures as much as possible, so that we can restore the daily lives of residents in new towns who have suffered from transportation exclusion."

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