Gyeonggi Province, Hwaseong, Osan Join Hands for Successful Implementation of 'Dongtan Urban Railway Basic Plan'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province, Hwaseong City, and Osan City have joined forces to ensure successful implementation of the 'Dongtan Urban Railway' project—an eco-friendly tram to be constructed in the Dongtan area of Hwaseong and the Osan region.

Gyeonggi Province, Hwaseong City, and Osan City signed a business agreement on the 7th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, with Governor Lee Jae-myung, Hwaseong Mayor Seo Chul-mo, Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook, and National Assembly Members Ahn Min-seok, Lee Won-wook, and Kwon Chil-seung in attendance. They committed to joint efforts to ensure successful establishment of the basic plan for the Dongtan Urban Railway project—the first of its kind in the province.

The Dongtan Urban Railway is a new transportation project pursued as part of the broader transportation improvement measures for the Hwaseong Dongtan 2 Housing Development Project established in September 2009. Following the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's approval and notification on May 15, 2019 of the 'Gyeonggi Province Urban Railway Network Construction Plan,' the province has proceeded with 'the Dongtan Urban Railway Feasibility Assessment and Basic Plan Establishment Project.'

This business agreement includes: ▲mutual cooperation and support in implementing procedures for basic plan establishment ▲active cooperation in consensus on administrative support and related matters ▲establishment of a working-level council to implement agreed items.

Governor Lee Jae-myung stated, "I believe residents of Dongtan 1 and 2 new cities have experienced considerable feelings of alienation, deprivation, and loss as the development of infrastructure has been delayed," adding, "Mayors Seo Chul-mo and Kwak Sang-wook have appropriately addressed these concerns, leading to the project's commencement. We appreciate all your efforts during this time."
He continued, "We are well aware that securing infrastructure is paramount for improving the quality of life of our residents," pledging that "we will ensure this project proceeds swiftly and without disruption at the provincial level."

Hwaseong Mayor Seo Chul-mo stated, "Without the active efforts of Governor Lee Jae-myung and local members of the National Assembly, the project would have continued to drift. We are truly grateful," adding, "Right to mobility is now a fundamental right and right to pursue happiness for citizens. Hwaseong City will do its best to ensure smooth progress."

Osan Mayor Kwak Sang-wook also expressed gratitude, saying, "I am grateful to Governor Lee Jae-myung for providing the opportunity for the Dongtan Urban Railway to be launched in full. Through cooperation, issues that are truly important to residents will be resolved, which I believe has great value."

The Dongtan Urban Railway, which will benefit from joint efforts through this agreement signing, will span a total length of 32.35 km, with the Banwol-Osan Line (14.82 km) and the Byeongjeom-Dongtan 2 New City Line (17.53 km) interconnected around Dongtan Station (a landmark station for SRT and GTX). Of the total project cost of 996.7 billion won, LH, the developer of the Hwaseong Dongtan (2) Housing Development Project, will cover 920 billion won.