Nowon District Calls for GTX-E Preliminary Feasibility Study Exemption in Meeting with Planning and Transport Ministers

Calls for GTX-E's inclusion in National Railway Network Plan
Highlights transportation demand from Kwangwoon University Station and S-DBC

Nowon District in Seoul has officially asked the government to include the GTX-E line in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan and exempt it from a preliminary feasibility study.

Nowon District said District Mayor Seo Junho met with Minister of Planning and Budget Park Honggeun and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Jiseon on November 2 to request government support for the early implementation of the GTX-E line. The meeting was arranged by former National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik, who represents Nowon A.

A commemorative photo following a meeting with relevant ministry officials on the GTX-E project. From left: National Assembly Member Kim Young-bae (Seongbuk A), Minister of Planning and Budget Park Hong-geun, Nowon District Mayor Seo Jun-oh, former National Assembly Speaker and National Assembly Member for Nowon A Woo Won-shik, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-seon, and National Assembly Member Kim Nam-geun (Seongbuk B). Provided by Nowon District.

Assembly Members Kim Youngbae (Seongbuk A), Kim Namgeun (Seongbuk B), and Oh Gihyeong (Dobong B) also attended, saying that public transportation in northeastern Seoul was inadequate and calling for the project to move forward promptly.

At the meeting, Seo asked the government to include the GTX-E line in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan (2026-2035) and exempt it from a preliminary feasibility study. He also explained the need to expand the region's public transportation network and the expected increase in traffic demand from local development projects.

The GTX-E line will connect Incheon International Airport with Deokso via Digital Media City (DMC), Yeonsinnae, Kwangwoon University Station, and the Wangsuk 2 District in Namyangju. It was included as a Phase 2 GTX project in the government's "Three Major Transportation Innovation Strategies," announced in January 2024. The government is currently reviewing whether to include it in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.

Nowon District cited the region's inadequate transportation conditions. The district said that the Naebu Expressway and the Northern Ring Road are chronically congested, and that while the GTX-C line is moving forward to provide a north-south connection, rail links along the east-west axis to Incheon International Airport and western parts of the Seoul metropolitan area remain insufficient.

The district also emphasized the expected increase in demand from local development projects. By 2028, the area around Kwangwoon University Station is set to become home to the headquarters of HDC Hyundai Development Company, a large shopping mall, commercial and business facilities, and a residential complex with approximately 3,000 households. Seoul Digital Bio City (S-DBC), which aims to attract biotech and AI companies and research facilities, will be developed on approximately 280,000 square meters around the Changdong Vehicle Depot.

Seoul Arena, a venue specializing in popular music performances, is scheduled to open in June 2027. The district expects the GTX-E line to improve access to Incheon International Airport once it opens, helping attract businesses and overseas tourists.

“The GTX-E is key transportation infrastructure that will address the lack of east-west regional transit links in northeastern Seoul and support Nowon's future growth,” District Mayor Seo Junho said. “We will do our utmost to secure the line's inclusion in the National Railway Network Construction Plan and move the project forward early so that major projects, including the Kwangwoon University Station area development and the establishment of S-DBC, can contribute to revitalizing the local economy.”

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