Dodeok–Dohwa Section of Goheung’s National Road No. 77 Improvement Project Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study

Total Project Cost of 125.7 Billion Won Fully Secured with National Funding
13.7 km Improvement of Dodeok to Dohwa Section

Goheung County, Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced on August 26 that the "Dodeok to Dohwa National Road No. 77 Improvement Project" has finally passed the comprehensive preliminary feasibility study required for the establishment of the 6th National Road and Local Road Construction Plan (2026–2030).

The Dodeok to Dohwa improvement project aims to enhance approximately 13.7 kilometers of National Road No. 77, stretching from Dodeok-myeon to Dohwa-myeon, by correcting poor road alignments, such as sharp curves and steep slopes. The total project cost is expected to be 125.7 billion won, fully funded by the national government.

On the 26th, the 'Dodeok~Dohwa National Road No. 77 Facility Improvement Project' in Goheung successfully passed the final batch preliminary feasibility study for the establishment of the 6th National and Local Roads Construction Plan (2026–2030). Provided by Goheung County

The passing of this comprehensive preliminary feasibility study is the result of Goheung County's continued efforts to address long-standing local demands for the improvement of National Road No. 77. The county has consistently highlighted the need for the project in terms of traffic safety, residents’ right to mobility, interregional accessibility, and balanced regional development, and has actively advocated for the project through repeated visits and appeals to central government ministries and related agencies.

In particular, the county specifically identified traffic inconveniences and safety issues caused by sharp curves, steep slopes, and sections running through villages, which residents had experienced firsthand. It also emphasized the necessity of this infrastructure for improving accessibility in southwestern Goheung and supporting local development, making every effort to ensure the project was included in the national plan.

With the successful passing of the comprehensive preliminary feasibility study, the Dodeok to Dohwa improvement project has cleared a key gateway for its integration into both the revised Second National Road Network Comprehensive Plan and the 6th National Road and Local Road Construction Plan.

Previously, the “Yeongnam to Podu National Road No. 77 Improvement Project,” which was included in the 5th National Road and Local Road Construction Plan, is set to enhance a 14.0-kilometer stretch from Ucheon-ri in Yeongnam-myeon to Okgang-ri in Podu-myeon. This project has a total budget of 69.1 billion won, fully funded by the national government, and is scheduled to begin tendering for construction in 2027.

If the Dodeok to Dohwa project is ultimately included in the national plan, a combined total of 27.7 kilometers and an overall investment of 194.8 billion won will be secured for successive improvements to National Road No. 77, alongside the Yeongnam to Podu project. This is expected to significantly address key traffic-weak sections across the Goheung region.

Upon completion of both projects, the alignment of problematic road sections—previously plagued by severe bends and poor driving conditions—will be improved, substantially enhancing traffic safety and driving convenience for residents and tourists. In addition, the safety and accessibility of National Road No. 77, which links eastern and southwestern Goheung, will be further strengthened.

Moreover, as the number of tourists entering Goheung via the Yeosu-Goheung Bridge and connecting bridges increases, the improved mobility will boost connectivity between major tourism and industrial hubs such as Nokdong Area and the Naro Space Center. This is expected to energize local tourism and invigorate the regional economy.

County Governor Gong Youngmin stated, "The successful passing of this comprehensive preliminary feasibility study represents the culmination of our persistent efforts to advocate for the project’s necessity to central government ministries and related agencies in order to resolve the communities' long-held wishes." He continued, "I sincerely appreciate the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Jeonnam-Gwangju Metropolitan City for understanding Goheung's challenging transportation conditions and the urgency of this project, and for supporting the feasibility study’s approval."

He added, "I would also like to express my gratitude to our local National Assembly member Moon Geumju and city council members, who united to help resolve these critical regional issues. Having crossed an important gateway to national plan inclusion, we will now respond promptly to the remaining procedures to ensure the project is ultimately included."

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