Gangwon Province Launches Detailed Design for Gwangdeok Tunnel Construction... Targeting Opening in 2031
by Lee jonggu
Published 15 Oct.2025 08:50(KST)
The Gangwon Provincial Government (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on October 15, 2025, that it will officially begin the detailed design phase for the construction of the Gwangdeok Tunnel, which will connect Sanae-myeon in Hwacheon County with Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province.
The Gwangdeok Tunnel will be constructed in the Gwangdeok Pass section, which is the only through road linking Sanae-myeon in Hwacheon County and Pocheon City. The total length of the project is 4.8 kilometers (with the tunnel itself measuring 4.06 kilometers), and the total project cost will be 132.5 billion won. This section is known for its steep slopes and sharp curves, resulting in a traffic accident rate eight times higher and an injury rate thirteen times higher than the national average for local roads, making safety improvements urgently needed.
To address these transportation inconveniences, the province has long pursued the construction of the Gwangdeok Tunnel. Despite the project's low economic feasibility index (B/C) of 0.25, which made it difficult for the project to be approved, the province emphasized the tunnel's unique characteristics and the regional necessity, successfully gaining the evaluation committee's support. As a result, the project passed the Ministry of Economy and Finance's feasibility reassessment in March 2025 with a final B/C of 0.55, making full-scale implementation possible.
The construction of the Gwangdeok Tunnel will proceed with the selection of a detailed design contractor on October 15, 2025, completion of the detailed design by 2026, groundbreaking in the first half of 2027, and opening targeted for 2031.
During the detailed design phase, the project will include technical verification such as ground surveys, traffic volume analysis, and safety reviews. In addition, eco-friendly design elements will be actively incorporated to establish a safe and sustainable road infrastructure.
Once the Gwangdeok Tunnel is completed, vehicle speeds are expected to increase from the current 40 km/h to over 60 km/h, and travel time will be reduced from 26 minutes to 5 minutes, dramatically improving both traffic safety and accessibility.
Lee Jonggu, Director of Construction and Transportation at the Gangwon Provincial Government, stated, "The Gwangdeok Tunnel is a long-awaited project for local residents and will greatly enhance accessibility and traffic safety in Hwacheon County. From the design stage, we will thoroughly prepare measures to ensure safety and environmentally friendly construction, delivering results that residents can truly experience."
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