Suwon-Gwangmyeong Private Expressway to Begin Construction This Year

To relieve chronic traffic congestion in the capital region, a private expressway connecting Suwon and Gwangmyeong, and another linking Pyeongtaek and Siheung, will begin construction this year.

The Ministry of Construction and Transportation announced the "Express Highway Route Designation Ordinance" on August 8 to newly construct nine expressway routes. Of these nine expressways, six will be pursued as private sector projects and three as government-funded projects.

To address persistent traffic congestion in the capital region, the Pyeongtaek-Siheung (42.6 km), Incheon-Gimpo (17.4 km), and Anyang-Seongnam (20.9 km) expressways will be initiated early this year, while the Suwon-Gwangmyeong (26.4 km) and Seoul-Wonju (56.9 km) expressways will be pursued by the end of this year using private capital.

Notably, the Suwon-Gwangmyeong and Pyeongtaek-Siheung expressways designated this time are known to be under negotiation regarding opening dates and construction plans. Additionally, the Yeongcheon-Sangju expressway (89.9 km) will be pursued as a private sector project in the provinces, while Donghae-Samcheok (19 km), Chungju-Jecheon (24 km), and Gimhae-Daedong (8.8 km) will be pursued as government-funded projects. Separately, plans for early construction of a Second Outer Ring Expressway in the capital region are also under review.

A Ministry of Construction and Transportation official stated, "By being designated as expressway routes, it is now possible to proceed with all necessary procedures such as determining road boundaries for project implementation," and added, "When the private expressways are completed, they are expected to greatly contribute to improving traffic conditions in the capital region."