Hanam City Mobilizes All Efforts for Early Opening of Line 9 and GTX-D Route via Hwangsan

Mayor Lee Hyunjae of Hanam Conducts On-Site Metropolitan Transportation Inspection with Experts
Seeking "Reality Check" Solutions for Line 9, GTX-D, and More
Experts: "Hanam Should Focus Its Capabilities on the Misa Extension of Line 9 and the Wirye-Sinsa Line Project"

Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyun-jae) announced on April 16 that on the previous day, it conducted a "Reality Check" with transportation experts to establish effective response measures for scattered metropolitan transportation issues, including the extension of Subway Line 9, GTX-D passing through Hwangsan and Gyosan, and the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam.

Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) conducted an "on-site inspection" with transportation experts on the 15th to establish effective response measures for scattered metropolitan transportation issues such as the extension of Subway Line 9, GTX-D route passing through Hwangsan and Gyosan, and the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam. Provided by Hanam City

This inspection was conducted as a "practical, on-site inspection" that went beyond simply sharing the current status, by diagnosing traffic problems directly in the field and establishing specific strategies for each issue. The inspection team included leading authorities in Korea's transportation sector, such as Lee Soobum, Professor of Transportation Engineering at University of Seoul and former commissioner of the Metropolitan Area Committee at the National Council for Balanced Regional Development; Kim Chaeman, Head of the Gyeonggi Legislative Policy Research Center at Gyeonggi Research Institute; and Han Seokjae, Vice President of Dongmyung Engineering Consultants & Architecture, adding further expertise to the initiative.

The city first visited the intersection near Mangwol Elementary School, where the provisional Sinmisa Station for the Subway Line 9 extension is planned, to conduct an on-site inspection and listen to residents' demands.

The experts assessed, "It is important for Line 9 to open the Misa section as early as possible, and it was a good move for Hanam City to include a turnaround track for local trains at Sinmisa Station so that both express and local trains can stop there." They also advised, "As extending the access to Gusanseongji and residential complexes, as requested by residents, would require significant financial resources, the city should consider financial solutions such as linking these projects with underground complex development."

The inspection team then visited Hwangsan Intersection to identify causes of traffic congestion and to review strategies for the "GTX-D route passing through Hwangsan and Gyosan" as well as key review items in the "Basic Plan for Improving the Traffic System around Hwangsan Intersection," which is scheduled for implementation in the first half of the year.

Experts diagnosed that Hwangsan Intersection faces a structural issue as it is adjacent to Sangil IC, leading to concentrated traffic volumes, and emphasized that a shift to rail-based transportation is essential. In particular, to ensure the GTX-D route passes through Hwangsan in the upcoming "5th National Rail Network Plan" announcement scheduled for July, they agreed on the necessity to analyze rail usage demand at Hwangsan Intersection, provide this data to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and coordinate efforts among the public, private, and political sectors.

Visiting the Wirye-Hanam area, the inspection team examined the necessity and promotion strategies for the "extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam."

Experts commented that it was regrettable that Hanam was not included in the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line when it was finalized in 2014, even though Wirye-Hanam residents contributed to the rail cost-sharing. They emphasized the importance of leveraging Hanam City's experience in opening the extension of Line 5 and having the Misa extension of Line 9 included in the 3rd National Rail Network Plan in 2016. They recommended that Hanam City should mobilize all its capabilities to ensure the Wirye-Sinsa Line Hanam extension is included in the "5th Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Implementation Plan" scheduled to be established this year, and that active interest from both politicians and residents is crucial.

Finally, at Oryun Intersection near the Gam-il District, the team focused on examining issues at the starting point of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway and residents' concerns regarding the expressway passing underground through the district.

Hanam City (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) conducted an on-site inspection with transportation experts on the 15th to develop practical response measures for various regional transportation issues, including the extension of Subway Line 9, GTX-D passing through Hwangsan and Gyosan, and the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam. Provided by Hanam City

The inspection found that Seoul residents mainly use the expressway and that there is a concentration of traffic from the 4-lane Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, the 4-lane Gam-il District, and the 4-lane Wirye District. It was discussed that a professional intersection capacity analysis is needed, and it was recommended to propose establishing the starting point on Seoul Wiryeseong-daero (60m road width). The team also concluded that it is necessary to demand concrete alternatives from the central government to address residents' concerns about the expressway passing underground through the Gam-il District.

Based on the experts' opinions gathered during this Reality Check, Hanam City plans to closely cooperate with relevant ministries and residents to address key metropolitan transportation issues and to take an active response.

A Hanam City official stated, "The significance of this inspection lies in searching for effective alternatives on-site with experts, rather than confining metropolitan transportation issues to discussions at the desk. We will actively review the experts' proposals in the '2027-2031 Hanam City Mid-term Urban Transportation Improvement Plan' to be established this year and concentrate all administrative resources to ensure that Hanam City's key transportation issues are resolved through close cooperation with relevant ministries and residents."

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