Goyang, Namyangju, and Hanam Request Inclusion of 'GTX-D, E, F' Lines in the 5th National Railroad Network Plan

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan) strongly urged the central government and Gyeonggi Province to resolve the 'New Town Metropolitan Transportation Issue' through a joint petition at the National Assembly on the 13th, together with Namyangju and Hanam.

Lee Hyun-jae, Mayor of Hanam (left), Lee Dong-hwan, Special Mayor of Goyang (center), and Joo Kwang-duk, Mayor of Namyangju, are strongly urging the central government and Gyeonggi Province to resolve the 'New Town Metropolitan Transportation Issue' through a joint petition at the National Assembly on the 13th. Provided by Goyang City

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This joint petition represents a collaborative response from local governments that have actively cooperated with the metropolitan area housing supply policy, sharing their awareness of the issues surrounding metropolitan transportation in new towns.

In the joint petition, the local governments stated that although the government presented the principle of 'transportation first, development later' when announcing the third phase of new towns in March 2018, many core transportation measures, such as metropolitan railways, have yet to even break ground. As a result, transportation inconveniences for residents of the third-phase new towns are becoming increasingly evident.

They also explained that residents of existing new towns and housing sites continue to complain about transportation inconveniences, and concerns have been raised about reverse discrimination in metropolitan area transportation due to recent investment policies that focus on non-metropolitan regions.

Furthermore, they emphasized that 'new town metropolitan transportation is not merely a matter of commuting convenience but a core infrastructure for alleviating congestion in central Seoul, achieving balanced national development, and connecting to low birthrate and youth policies.' They stressed that 'the completion of housing policies in the metropolitan area depends on the optimal and timely establishment of the metropolitan transportation network.'

The proposed routes for the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan and the Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Implementation Plan. Provided by Goyang City

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The three local government heads proposed the inclusion of the GTX-D, E, and F lines, the Gyeonggi Province GTX-G and H lines, the express upgrade of the Ilsan Line, and the electrification of the Goyang City Gyoe Line in the formulation of the 5th National Railway Network Plan to resolve the metropolitan transportation issues in new towns. In particular, the Mayor of Goyang Special City highlighted the necessity of having the GTX-F route pass through Gwan-san and the Gyeonggi Province GTX-H route pass through Samsong and Naeyu.

They also requested that the following be reflected in the formulation of the 5th Metropolitan Area Wide-Area Transportation Implementation Plan: for Goyang City, the extension of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line to Ilsan, the extension of the Express Line 9 to Daegok, and the extension of the Shinbundang Line to Ilsan; for Namyangju, the extension of Line 3 to Deokso, the extension of the Byeollae Line from Cheonghak-ri to Uijeongbu, and the extension of Line 6 to Namyangju; for Hanam, the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam.

They further demanded that Gyeonggi Province promptly proceed with the decision on the construction methods for Section 2 (Misa-Dasan) and Section 5 (Wangsuk) of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line without further delay.

In addition, they called for the swift commencement of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line and the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line, which are metropolitan railways for the third-phase new towns, and for the active incorporation of residents' opinions from each region throughout the design process.

GTX Route Map. Provided by Goyang City

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Lastly, they requested that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the third-phase new town project implementers establish an inclusive transportation plan that can address the metropolitan transportation issues of existing new towns when formulating metropolitan transportation measures.

Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, stated, "Goyang Special City, which includes Ilsan New Town as well as large-scale housing developments such as Samsong, Siksa, and Jichuk in the northwestern metropolitan area, is currently promoting the Changneung district as a third-phase new town in accordance with the national housing supply policy. However, the reality is that transportation infrastructure has not kept pace with this development." He emphasized, "It is essential to include in railway network plans improvements such as the extension of the Goyang-Eunpyeong Line to Ilsan, extension of the Express Line 9 to Daegok, extension of the Shinbundang Line to Ilsan, the express upgrade of Line 3, the passage of GTX-F through Gwansan, and the passage of Gyeonggi Province GTX-H through Samsong and Naeyu to improve metropolitan transportation for both new and existing new towns."

He added, "The metropolitan transportation network is a key infrastructure that determines balanced development in the metropolitan area and national competitiveness. Through this joint petition, I hope that substantial improvements in transportation, which residents of new towns can truly experience, will be achieved."

Joo Kwangduk, Mayor of Namyangju, stated, "Currently, transportation demand is surging due to the development of Byeollae, Dasan, and Wangsuk districts, but the infrastructure is severely lacking." He stressed, "It is crucial to promptly reflect in the national plans and accelerate the key railway projects such as the GTX-D, E, and F lines, the Gyeonggi Province GTX-G line, the extension of Line 3 to Deokso, the extension of Line 6 to Namyangju, and the extension of the Byeollae Line from Cheonghak-ri to Uijeongbu."

He continued, "In particular, the construction method decisions for Sections 2 and 5 of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9), which have been delayed due to unsuccessful tenders, must be made quickly to expedite the groundbreaking. We will focus all administrative resources to ensure that many citizens can find 'peace on the road' and be freed from traffic congestion and overcrowding during their commutes."

GTX Plus Route Map in Gyeonggi Province. Provided by Goyang City.

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Lee Hyunjae, Mayor of Hanam, stated, "It is absolutely necessary to include in the railway network plans the extension of the Wirye-Sinsa Line to Hanam to resolve the unfair railway transportation issues in Wirye New Town, as well as the passage of the GTX-D line through Hwangsan in Misa Riverside City." He emphasized, "We must consider commencing construction of the Misa section of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line first and, in accordance with the 2018 agreement between the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Mayor of Hanam, promptly revise and supplement the transportation improvement measures for Gyo-san New Town so that residents of Gyo-san and the local community can enjoy tangible transportation benefits."

Goyang Special City plans to continue collaborating with Hanam and Namyangju until the metropolitan transportation issues in new towns are substantially resolved.

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