Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae Meets Gyeonggi Province Deputy Administrator to Propose Wirye-Sinsa Line Extension and Line 9-3 Extension Issues

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae visited the Gyeonggi Province Government Northern Office in Uijeongbu on the 25th and met with Kim Dae-soon, Deputy Administrator of Gyeonggi Province Administration, to strongly propose local issues and residents' demands.

The mayor's proposals include ▲Wirye-Shinsa Line extension to Hanam ▲Early opening of the Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9) ▲Timely opening of the Songpa-Hanam Line (Line 3), and other key metropolitan transit projects directly linked to citizens' transportation convenience and extension of entrance/exit installations.

The mayor's visit was arranged to clearly deliver accumulated pending issues to Gyeonggi Province, the project operator, and seek solutions, including the 'Wirye-Shinsa Line Hanam extension' project whose inclusion in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan is under review, the 'Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line' facing delays due to solo bidding for Section 2, and the 'Songpa-Hanam Line' ahead of project operator selection.

First, Mayor Lee emphasized that the 'Wirye-Shinsa Line Hanam extension' route must be included in the 5th Metropolitan Transportation Implementation Plan.

The mayor also stated, "Although Wirye New City was planned as a single living zone, only Hanam residents who paid the same transportation cost-sharing fee are experiencing reverse discrimination by not receiving railway service," urging prompt plan reflection.

Regarding the 'Gangdong-Hanam-Namyangju Line (Line 9 extension)', he proposed solving the solo bidding issue for Section 2 (Misa~Dasan) through alternative project methods such as turnkey (design and construction comprehensive bidding) to expedite construction, and suggested opening at least the 'Gangil~Misa' section first.

In particular, he also requested the installation of entrance/exit extensions at Station 944 near apartments in the Gusan Holy Site area, which had been a long-standing complaint from residents.

Regarding the 'Songpa-Hanam Line (Line 3 extension)', he emphasized the importance of opening before Kyosan New City residents move in. In particular, he proposed installing the transfer passage at Station 104 at the shortest distance for the convenience of original downtown residents, and extending the entrance/exit installation at Station 101 reflecting the opinions of the Jungangno Intersection Promotion Committee and apartment residents.

Mayor Lee Hyun-jae stated, "Since about 60% of Hanam's population commutes to Seoul, the expansion of the metropolitan transit network is the top priority for realizing citizens' transportation welfare," and added, "I request that the suggestions made today be actively reflected in Gyeonggi Province's project implementation as the residents wish."

In response, Deputy Administrator Kim Dae-soon said, "We will carefully review the metropolitan transit issues proposed by Hanam," and added, "We will actively work to ensure that Hanam's positions, including the Wirye-Shinsa Line Hanam extension, are sufficiently reflected."