"GTX-C Must Stop at Uiwang Station," Uiwang City Holds Public Briefing on Strategic Environmental Assessment

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Uiwang City held a public briefing on the strategic environmental assessment (draft) for the Seoul Metropolitan Area Rapid Train (GTX-C) line construction project, which is being promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, at City Hall on the morning of the 9th.

The briefing was overseen by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Rapid Train Division, with related service providers in attendance. Kim Sang-don, Mayor of Uiwang City, Yoon Mi-geun, City Council Chair, city council members, and approximately 200 participants including members of organizations in Bugok-dong and members of local businesses and civic groups attended.

During the briefing, citizens raised questions about gaps in the population and residential sectors regarding development plans near Uiwang Station among the compatibility of social and economic environments included in the GTX-C strategic environmental assessment. Ministry officials promised to carefully review these issues in future master plan establishment and environmental assessment.

There were also strong demands from Uiwang and Gunpo citizens that Uiwang Station, which can be installed without technical issues or environmental damage, be reflected in the master plan, as it was omitted in the preliminary feasibility study. Ministry officials responded that they would actively review the matter through various investigations including public interest, technical feasibility, and economic viability.

Meanwhile, Uiwang City reported that according to the ongoing preliminary feasibility study results for GTX-C's Uiwang Station stop, the cost-benefit (B/C) analysis for Uiwang Station shows secured economic viability.

Compared to the average distance between GTX-C line stations of approximately 8km, the distance between Geumjeong and Suwon is 14km, making the decrease in average speed from Uiwang Station stop minimal. It was reported that there are no technical issues, and Uiwang City is strongly asserting the justification for Uiwang Station stop.

Mayor Kim Sang-don stated, "Uiwang Station, which has been marginalized due to restrictions from the greenbelt designation, must be reflected in the GTX-C line plan," and emphasized, "Uiwang City will mobilize all administrative resources to ensure that the Uiwang Station stop is reflected in the master plan."

Meanwhile, the city stated that despite the COVID-19 situation limiting promotion and participation encouragement, citizens from Uiwang City, Gunpo City, and Suwon City participated voluntarily in the briefing.