Hyundai E&C and the government have recently reached a concession agreement for the construction of the GTX-C line in the metropolitan area. However, the project has faced several delays due to objections, leaving doubts about whether construction can commence within the targeted timeframe. MBC News reporter Jeong Dong-wook provides the latest updates on this matter.
Minister Won Hee-ryong has officially signed a construction concession agreement with Hyundai E&C, who was selected as the preferred negotiating partner for the GTX-C route. As a result, Hyundai E&C now holds the legal status of being the sole business operator and progress towards the GTX-C route project can finally be made. Minister Won Hee-ryong shares his vision for this project, stating, “We aim to transform a period of suffering into a time of productivity, family, and personal development… We will do our utmost best to ensure construction starts within the year.”
The GTX-C line is a high-speed railway spanning 86.46km, connecting Yangju in Gyeonggi-do to Suwon via Gangnam in Seoul. The completion of this project in 2028, with an estimated cost of 4.6 trillion won, will allow commuters to travel from Yangju to Samseong Station in Seoul and Suwon in Gyeonggi-do within just 30 minutes. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport anticipates that approximately 300,000 individuals will benefit from this improved transportation system daily, reducing their travel time by up to an hour.
However, the GTX-C project encountered significant delays due to conflicts with residents along the route. One major challenge was the financial burden of construction costs, resulting in the decision to change the section from Changdong Station to Dobongsan Station from an underground passage to an above-ground route. This decision faced opposition from local residents, leading to further negotiations. Ultimately, in May, it was decided to revert to the underground option, effectively resolving the conflict.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to initiate construction within the year after completing necessary procedures such as the design feasibility review and design qualification review next month. However, concerns arise regarding the possibility of a partial opening similar to the GTX-A line, which only commenced operations on the Suseo-Dongtan section in April this year due to resistance from local residents. Of particular note is the ongoing opposition from residents of Eunma Apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, as their area includes a 50-meter underground passage.
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Video broadcast credits: Jeong Yeon-cheol
Data provided by: National Railroad Corporation and Hyundai Rotem
◀ Anchor ▶
The government and Hyundai E&C have signed a concession agreement for the construction of the GTX-C line for the metropolitan area.
First of all, two years have passed since the negotiation target was chosen, but as the project has been delayed due to various objections, attention is focused on whether it will be possible to start construction within the target year .
Reporter Jeong Dong-wook covered the story.
◀ Report ▶
Minister Won Hee-ryong signed a construction concession agreement with Hyundai E&C, the preferred negotiating partner for the GTX-C route.
With the signing of the concession agreement, the legal status of Hyundai E&C, which was the preferred negotiator, changed to a single business operator, and the GTX C route project was put on track.
[원희룡/국토교통부 장관]
“We will return the time of suffering to a time of production, family and self-development… with news of the start of construction within the year (we will do our best).”
The GTX-C line is a high-speed railway with a total length of 86.46km that connects Yangju, Gyeonggi-do to Suwon via Gangnam, Seoul.
When completed in 2028 with a total project cost of 4.6 trillion won, it will be possible to reach Samseong Station in Seoul from Yangju and Suwon in Gyeonggi-do within 30 minutes.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expects 300,000 people a day to reduce travel time by up to an hour.
The reason why the GTX-C project, which was accelerating through the selection of a preferred negotiator in June 2021, was delayed for about two years due to conflicts with residents around the route.
Due to the burden of construction costs, the section from Changdong Station to Dobongsan Station was changed from underground to above ground, encountering opposition from residents, and eventually the final decision was made to go underground in May, and the conflict was resolved.
The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs plans to start construction within the year after going through procedures such as design feasibility review and design qualification review next month.
However, even if construction begins, there are concerns that it may only be half-opened like the GTX-A line, which only opens the Suseo-Dongtan section first in April this year next due to opposition from residents.
In particular, the opposition of the residents of Eunma Apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the 50-meter underground passage passes, is still a source of conflict.
This is Jung Dong-wook from MBC News.
Video broadcast: Jeong Yeon-cheol / Data provided by: National Railroad Corporation and Hyundai Rotem
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