Launch of Public-Private-Academic-Research Consortium for 'Railroad Undergrounding'

On the 4th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced in Seoul the launch of the "Railroad Undergrounding Integrated Development Promotion Council," bringing together private and public institutions, academia, and research organizations.

The council will hold regular meetings at least once a month, gathering experts from 16 metropolitan local governments nationwide, related public and research institutions, and various fields such as railroad technology, urban development, and finance to exchange opinions on the integrated development of railroad undergrounding.

The council is launched as a follow-up measure to the railroad undergrounding policy announced at the 6th Public Livelihood Discussion chaired by President Yoon Seok-yeol on January 25. The government enacted the "Special Act on Railroad Undergrounding and Integrated Development of Railroad Sites" on January 30 and began establishing a comprehensive plan for integrated railroad undergrounding development on the 21st.

Section under review for the integrated development project of Seoul railway undergrounding.
[Image provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]

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The council is divided into the "Undergrounding Technology Subcommittee," "Urban Development and Finance Subcommittee," and "Regional Cooperation Subcommittee." The Undergrounding Technology Subcommittee consists of 12 members from the Korean Society of Transportation, Korea Transport Institute, Korea Rail Network Authority (KR), construction companies, and other private, public, academic, and research sectors, discussing optimal undergrounding construction methods by region.

The Urban Development and Finance Subcommittee, with 12 members from the Korean Institute of Urban Design, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and Korea REITs Association, explores directions for developing the upper land areas.

The Regional Cooperation Subcommittee includes local government officials, municipal research institutes, and private experts. It is organized into five regional subcommittees: the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Gangwon Region, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Region, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Region, Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong Region, and Gwangju-Jeolla Region.

The council also provides advice on the proposal guidelines for the railroad undergrounding integrated development project and supports project conceptualization consulting for local governments.

At the launch ceremony, experts will present domestic and international cases related to railroad undergrounding integrated development and considerations for project promotion. Additionally, discussions among the council’s subcommittee members will be held.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, eight local governments including Seoul and Busan have independently disclosed their project plans through research services. Seoul is reviewing the undergrounding of 71.6 km of national above-ground railroads across six lines: Gyeongbu, Gyeongin, Gyeongui, Gyeongwon, Gyeongchun, and Jungang Lines. Busan is reviewing a 19.3 km section of the Gyeongbu Line (Hwamyung Station to Busan Station). The local governments’ plans may be modified regarding project targets and sections during the government’s review process for integrated railroad undergrounding development. Sejong, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Gyeongbuk plan to review the railroad undergrounding integrated development project considering their conditions.

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