Seoul subway to extend 1,367 km in 2020

The subway network in and around the capital city will be tripled in size to 1,367 km by 2020, increasing its share of the transport load to 40 percent from the current 20 percent. Introduction of express trains to serve a wider area will speed local travel routes and construction of an additional 800-km trunk road will lengthen the road web to 3,000 km.

This blueprint was presented by the Korea Transport Institute at a public hearing held Friday at the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements. On the basis of the draft, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation will adopt its final plan early next year, subject to consultations with local governments. Work will start and be undertaken in stages according to priorities.

The subway network, which is only 429 km at present, will bear 40 percent of the traffic load in the metropolitan area, making the electric subway system the pivot of mass transit with the addition of express trains, double deckers and several other sophisticated features. Line A linking the new Pundang line with the Kyongui railway from Inchon through Pundang, Yangjae, Yongsan and Koyang to Munsan will crisscross the area, with Line B connecting the new Ansan Line with Chungang railway from Ansan, through Kwangmyong, Yongdungpo and Chongryangri to Dokso to constitute an X-pattern express subway network.

The proposed expansion will shorten the commute between downtown Seoul and outlying cities from 76 minutes to 50 minutes. An east-west line from Inchon to Hanam and a loop line going around Ilsan, Puchon, Ansan, Shingal and Euijongbu will be built. Light electric rail lines will be erected in 10 areas including Sanggye-Wangshipni, Euijongbu, Hanam and Yongin.

An artery of roads will be extended from 2,200 km to 3,000 km in seven sections, including the 38.6 km-long Highway No. 84 connecting Songhyon near Kimpo with Inchon, Daekot and Kanghwa. The hourly average speed of surface traffic in the metropolitan area during rush hours is expected to increase from 10 km to 25 km.

Combined transfer centers will be set up at 50 locations to help passengers to move between bus stops, subway stations and taxi stops. Ten sites including Maseok and Anyang will have parking lots to facilitate transfers.

An estimated total of 66 trillion won will be required to complete the traffic network (35.4 trillion won for subways and 31.2 trillion won for roads). Financing the entire project will call for investments from private sources and levies on the beneficiaries of subway construction, said the Korea Transport Institute.