20 New Expressways to Run Through Metropolitan Area

Twenty new highway routes 550 kilometers long are expected to serve Seoul and its metropolitan areas by 2020. The Ministry of Construction and Transportation unveiled its “Innovative Measures to Build Efficient Roads” and also announced on June 3 that it would execute its plans after it appoints businesses and companies to develop each expressway network. The designation will be based on the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements’ “survey on the metropolitan expressway network project” commissioned by the ministry.

The project is intended to meet future transportation needs from newly established suburbs like Dongtan City and nearby metropolitan areas. It is also aimed at quelling traffic congestion occurring on Seoul’s highways.

The government is set to lure private investment to the projects because it does not want to devote all its treasury resources to a particular area. The government has already planned to equitably funnel its resources into all provinces and cities under the “Balanced Development Policy.” Operating costs for some of the routes may come from bond issuances on the Korea Expressway Corporation’s assets as collateral, the government said.

Out of the proposed 20 expressway routes, ten will be open to private investment. They include West Pyeongtak to West Ansan (39.7 kilometers), Suwon to Gwangmyeong (32.3 kilometers), Kwangmyeong to Seoul (13.8 kilometers), Seoul to Munsan (37.9 kilometers), Seoul to Yeoncheon (53.4 kilometers), Anyang to Seongnam (20.9 kilometers), Chowol to Icheon (19.7 kilometers), Icheon to Wonju (37.1 kilometers), Bongdam to Incheon (50.2 kilometers), and Incheon to Ilsan (24.9 kilometers).

Expenses for the 10 other routes will be paid by the government and include the Yongin to Seoul (39.5 kilometers), Yangpyeong to Hwado (18.8 kilometers), Hwado to Sudong (14.8 kilometers), and a branch line of Gyeongin Highway running (6.7 kilometers) routes.

The government also noted that it would put forward a plan to set up a “team for road investment efficiency” and establish a “research center for road-related policies.” This is in response to public opinion that believes the nation may not reap rewards from the whopping 17 trillion-won investment considering the ongoing shortage of systematic administrative agency services.

One official from the ministry said, “Negotiations for some roads that are expected be funded by private investment have already borne fruit. The project is being pushed ahead as part of a plan for constructing a broader transportation network.” He also noted, “A broader transportation network for highways, buses and subways by 2020 will improve transportation conditions in the Seoul metropolitan area.”

cpu@donga.com