"9.2 Trillion Won to Connect Underserved Areas"... Seoul Launches Six New Rail Lines Including Gangbuk Cross Line and Nangok Line

Announcement of the Third Urban Railroad Network Plan
Total Length of 68.5 km
Focused on Closing Regional Gaps
Public Hearing on June 30
Final Approval Sought from Ministry of Land in the Second Half of the Year

The long-awaited construction of six railway lines for residents in public transportation underserved areas of Seoul is set to begin in earnest. With the inclusion of the Gangbuk Cross-City Line connecting Mokdong Station and Cheongnyangni Station, and the Nangok Line linking Boramae Park Station and Nanhyang-dong, Seoul's new blueprint for urban rail infrastructure is expected to accelerate major projects aimed at promoting balanced regional development.

On June 10, Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will formally establish the 3rd Urban Railway Network Construction Plan, which centers on a comprehensive overhaul of the Gangbuk and southwestern areas as well as balanced regional growth. The plan includes a total of six railway lines: the Gangbuk Cross-City Line, the Nangok Line, the Seonam Line, the Seobu Line, the Seobu Line Southern Extension, and the Sillim Line Northern Extension. The combined length of these lines will reach 68.5 kilometers, with a total budget of 9.1996 trillion won allocated for the projects.

The 3rd Urban Railway Network Construction Plan Route Map (Draft). Seoul City

Seoul Metropolitan Government has reviewed a total of 250 candidate routes, taking into account connectivity with neighboring municipalities’ rail infrastructure, station-specific demand, and the possibility of redundant investments. After thoroughly verifying financial efficiency and policy feasibility, the city finalized these six routes.

The Gangbuk Cross-City Line, connecting Mokdong Station and Cheongnyangni Station, will be the longest section at 25.79 kilometers and will serve as the core network traversing the east-west axis. Although the project previously faced difficulties due to low economic feasibility, the new plan has improved viability by excluding two stations but incorporating 49 future development projects.

The Nangok Line will connect Boramae Park Station and Nanhyang-dong. The city has improved the project’s feasibility by reducing the number of stations from six to five and updating development plans for areas such as Sillim District 7.

The Seonam Line expands upon the existing Mokdong Line plan. The main line will run from Magoknaru Station to Gasan Digital Complex Station, with a branch line planned from the Seobu Truck Terminal to Dangsan Station.

For the main Seobu Line, the city plans to ensure uninterrupted progress by combining a renewed call for private investment and restructuring the project into a government-funded initiative. In addition, by including the 'Seobu Line Southern Extension' connecting Seoul National University Station to the university's main gate, and the 'Sillim Line Northern Extension' linking Saetgang Station and Yeouido, Seoul will significantly improve urban accessibility in previously disconnected rail zones.

Upon completion of these multi-faceted measures to address disparities, Seoul expects the average subway station access time for its citizens to decrease from the previous 9.97 minutes to 8.03 minutes. Furthermore, the number of people benefitting from the new railway network is projected to increase by 360,000, reaching a total of 7.83 million. The city believes that, in line with the government’s preliminary feasibility study system reform announced earlier this year (focused on balanced development), there is a high likelihood of both legal and budgetary approval for the plan.

After obtaining feedback from the city council and consulting with the central government, Seoul will hold a public hearing at Seosomun Annex of Seoul City Hall on June 30 to gather resident opinions. The city then plans to request final approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in the second half of this year. Meanwhile, the proposed new Dongbu Line, a light rail connecting southern and northern Seoul, will be supplemented in the next revision of the railway network plan following a detailed reassessment of changing demand.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon stated, "We will rapidly and seamlessly expand railway infrastructure and innovate transportation services to enhance citizens’ experience and usher in a transformative era for Seoul’s transportation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.