Suwon, Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan Urge Inclusion of Sinbundang Line Extension in National Railway Network Plan
Suwon Special City Mayor Lee Jae-jun and the mayors of four cities have urged the government to “reflect the ‘Sinbundang Line Suwon-Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan Extension’ in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.”
Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun, Uiwang Mayor Kim Seong-je, Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hui, and Ansan Deputy Mayor Heo Nam-seok issued a joint statement at the briefing room of the Gyeonggi Provincial Council on the 11th and signed the statement.
They stated, “The Sinbundang Line extension, which starts from Gwanggyo in Suwon and continues to Uiwang, Gunpo, and Ansan, will enhance connectivity in the southwestern region of Gyeonggi Province and become an important foundation for balanced regional development and improving citizens’ quality of life,” and emphasized, “To accelerate the transition to a sustainable era, it is necessary to expand railway infrastructure that can dramatically improve access to major cities.”
They continued, “The railway line we are proposing aligns with the national policy of ‘transportation first, occupancy later,’ and will become a key national asset with strategic value for the prosperity of future generations and urban development by promoting the vitalization of high-tech industries,” adding, “To improve the metropolitan transportation environment for citizens in the southwestern part of the Seoul metropolitan area and to advance the national railway network, the Sinbundang Line Suwon-Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan Extension must be reflected in the 5th National Railway Network Construction Plan.”
The Sinbundang Line Suwon-Uiwang-Gunpo-Ansan Extension is a 14.54km metropolitan railway line (Gwanggyo Station to Banwol Station in Ansan) that was proposed for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s ‘5th National Railway Network Construction Plan’ in May 2024, and is expected to play an important role in building the railway network in the southwestern part of the Seoul metropolitan area.
The joint statement event was also attended by provincial councilors from the relevant districts, including Gyeonggi Provincial Council members Park Ok-bun, Lee O-su, Choi Sang-gyu, and Han Un-ok.
Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, “Suwon City has thus far devoted efforts to building metropolitan railway networks such as the ‘Gyeonggi Southern Metropolitan Railway,’ the ‘Great Train eXpress (GTX)-C Line,’ and the ‘Dongtan-Indeogwon Line,’ and has joined hands with neighboring cities to resolve traffic congestion in the southern Gyeonggi region,” expressing his hope that “the Sinbundang Line extension will become a driving force to reshape the urban space of the southwestern part of Gyeonggi Province.”