Key Expressway Networks in Northern Gyeonggi Fall Behind Schedule

While demand for development, including residential complexes and industrial parks, is rapidly increasing in the northern Gyeonggi region, expansion of key arterial road networks has been delayed.

In response, Gyeonggi Province's Regional Government No. 2 has decided to select 11 priority uncompleted roads under its jurisdiction that have been in development since 1999, and will soon recommend to the Ministry of Construction and Transportation that they receive priority support for balanced regional development.

According to the Regional Government No. 2 on the 20th, the Seoul-Munsan and Seoul-Pocheon private expressways, which would traverse the northern Gyeonggi region from south to north and narrow the distance to Seoul to 20-30 minutes, were selected as the 7th and 8th priority projects respectively in the 2005 Ministry of Construction and Transportation private investment initiative rankings and were scheduled to commence from the first half of last year, but are falling further behind.

The delays are cascading as 1st through 6th priority projects, including the Pyeongtaek-Siheung and Suwon-Gwangmyeong roads, have been postponed, resulting in mounting traffic congestion and compensation cost burdens.

The Regional Government No. 2 will announce a proposal notice next month for third-party (private business operator) selection, designate a preferred negotiation partner in the first half of this year, conclude an agreement, and recommend to the Ministry of Construction and Transportation that construction commence in the first half of 2009 and be completed by 2012.

Additionally, National Route 37 (Paju Munsan-Yeoncheon Jeonggok-Pocheon Youngjoong), which connects the eastern and western sections of northern Gyeonggi and began construction in 1999, saw the Munsan-Jeokseong (15.1 km) and Youngjoong-Ildong (7.1 km) sections open last month. The Regional Government No. 2 also plans to recommend early construction commencement of the intermediate section Jeokseong-Jeonggok-Youngjoong (23.1 km), which has been delayed since the 2005 detailed design phase.

Other projects included in the recommendation are early opening of the Gangil IC-Wabu IC section of the Seoul-Chuncheon private expressway and the Saepasan section of the Seoul Outer Ring Road, establishment of Howon IC, early opening of a bypass alternative to National Route 3 (Jangam-Jajin-Sangpae) and National Route 39 (Songchu section), and early commencement of the Seorak-Cheongpyeong road, among others.

An official from the Regional Government No. 2 stated, "The northern Gyeonggi region covers 4,284 square kilometers, accounting for 42 percent of Gyeonggi Province's total area (10,184 square kilometers), but is subject to overlapping regulations including capital region maintenance, military installation protection, and development restrictions." The official added, "Compared to other cities and provinces with similar populations, the region has relatively poor infrastructure including expressways and national routes, making early expansion of arterial road networks urgent."