'Uiwang City Metro Era' Draws Near

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Chung-young] Uiwang City announced on the 20th that the 'Wiryeok-Gwacheon Line Uiwang Extension (Draft)' proposed by the city has been reflected in the 'Gyeonggi Province Railroad Master Plan' announced by Gyeonggi Province on the 19th.

The Wiryeok-Gwacheon Line Uiwang Extension is a continuation of the Wigwacheon Line (from Wiryeok Station to Gwacheon Government Complex Station) currently being pursued after being reflected in the existing 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan. It is a total 20.79km line that runs vertically across all of Uiwang City, passes through the Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan three new cities, and reaches Banwol Station.

The city has been making considerable efforts, including pursuing a preliminary feasibility study with the goal of ultimately reflecting the Wigwacheon Line Uiwang Extension (Draft) in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan, and meeting with the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Gyeonggi Province Governor to propose the project.

Additionally, in March 2023, while submitting the results of the Wigwacheon Line Uiwang Extension feasibility study to Gyeonggi Province, the city argued that the Wigwacheon Line Uiwang Extension project is viable and essential for the development of Gyeonggi Province and Uiwang City, and requested its inclusion in the 'Gyeonggi Province Railroad Master Plan'.

Due to the city's elongated north-south terrain, living areas have been fragmented and with only one subway station—Uiwang Station on Line 1—citizens have faced considerable inconvenience in using public transportation.

However, with the implementation of the Wiryeok-Gwacheon Line Uiwang Extension following the currently ongoing Indong Line, Wolpan Line, and GTX-C, Uiwang City is expected to develop into a true hub of railway transportation, and citizens will be able to conveniently use public transportation.

The city plans to work closely with Gyeonggi Province going forward to ensure that the Wigwacheon Line Uiwang Extension is reflected in the subsequent 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.

Uiwang City Mayor Kim Sung-je said, "With this reflection in the Gyeonggi Province Railroad Master Plan, we expect the Wigwacheon Line Uiwang Extension project to gain significant momentum," and added, "As it is important for the project to be reflected in the 5th National Railroad Network Construction Plan, we will work closely with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Gyeonggi Province to achieve the best possible results."