Government, Local Authorities, and Private Sector Unite to Launch 'CTX Governance'

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 28th that it will launch the 'CTX Governance' to ensure the smooth progress of the Chungcheong Regional Express Train (CTX) and hold its first meeting at the Sejong Government Complex conference room.

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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CTX was announced as a leading project of the regional express train (x-TX) at the sixth public discussion on livelihood chaired by the President on the 25th of last month. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the goal of opening in 2034.

To proceed with the project according to the planned schedule, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport formed a governance body together with local governments where the route will be newly established, including Daejeon City, Sejong City, and Chungbuk Province; DL E&C (lead company) and Sambo Engineering Group (design firm), who are preparing the initial proposal; the Korea National Railway Corporation, a specialized support agency for private railroads; and the Private Railway Management Support Center (Transportation Research Institute).

The Ministry expects that this governance will play a significant role in promoting mutual understanding of the relatively unfamiliar regional express train and private investment projects in the local area, as well as in early resolution of issues arising during the project implementation, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of the CTX project.

At the meeting, preparations for starting the private investment feasibility study by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) in April this year will be reviewed, and cooperation plans to pass it swiftly will be discussed.

Based on its experience and expertise, the Korea National Railway Corporation will introduce support plans including negotiations with private operators and construction period progress and safety management. The Private Railway Management Support Center will explain support in areas such as demand analysis, legal affairs, and finance, as well as the implementation of operational evaluations, presenting management and support contents throughout the entire CTX project cycle.

Yoon Jin-hwan, Director of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "For the Chungcheong region to transform into a hyper-connected metropolitan living area where living within one hour is possible, CTX, which runs at a maximum speed of 180 km/h, is essential," adding, "CTX will serve as a model case for future x-TX construction and operation, contributing to the spread of mega cities in regional areas."

He continued, "As the first x-TX project, the private sector planning creative business plans, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as the responsible ministry, and the local governments that will use CTX must become one team," and said, "The CTX Governance will play an important role in uniting us as one."

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