Pyeongtaek City Pursues Early Construction of Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3

[Suwon Ilbo=Park Chan-hyuk] Pyeongtaek City announced on the 9th that it has begun early promotion of the Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3 project, which connects Anjung Station and the port hinterland industrial complex at Pyeongtaek Port.

The Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3 is the final section of the railway line connecting Pyeongtaek Station and Anjung Station, which opened in November of this year, and is reflected in the National Railway Master Plan of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Port Master Plan of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

However, due to delays in the land reclamation of the port hinterland industrial complex at the final section of the railway line, the railway project has also been prolonged.

There were concerns in Pyeongtaek City that if the condition for the railway project—land reclamation of the port hinterland industrial complex by 2030—is not met, the railway project could be canceled.

Accordingly, in January of this year, the city concluded consultations with the Pyeongtaek Regional Maritime and Fisheries Administration and Korea Gas Corporation to actively cooperate with the early land reclamation plan for the port hinterland industrial complex (2030→2027) using dredged soil generated from the Dangjin LNG production facility construction, and began early promotion of the railway project starting in July.

First, the city confirmed the feasibility of the railway project with the Korea Railroad Corporation and proceeded with consultations with related agencies, then held discussions with the office of National Assemblyman Lee Byung-jin starting in September for early promotion.

Subsequently, on November 27, the 'Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3 Early Promotion Coordination Body' was formed under the direction of National Assemblyman Lee Byung-jin's office.

Furthermore, an agreement was reached to conduct technical survey projects for securing the railway line and rail yard land within the port hinterland industrial complex, which had become a contentious issue in the railway project promotion.

Additionally, the city plans to share project progress and resolve issues through periodic meetings of the coordination body in the future.

The Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3 Early Promotion Coordination Body is composed of six organizations: the office of National Assemblyman Lee Byung-jin, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Pyeongtaek Regional Maritime and Fisheries Administration, the Korea Railroad Corporation, and Pyeongtaek City.

Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon said, "I am grateful to National Assemblyman Lee Byung-jin and the related agencies for their efforts to enable early promotion of the Sesung-Pyeongtaek Railway Section 3 project."