‘반쪽짜리’ 용인경전철, 동서 축 잇는 철도망으로 탈바꿈할까

The city of Uijeongbu, located in Gyeonggi Province, is currently conducting a preliminary assessment of three potential urban railway projects, with a focus on transforming the struggling Uijeongbu urban railway into a key transportation artery connecting the city's east and west. This assessment, which will span the next year, aims to boost the project's viability for future planning budgets and administrative procedures.

The proposed Dongbaek-Sinbong line, a 14.7-kilometer extension from Dongbaek Station to Sinbongdong in Seongdong-gu, would connect with the existing Gyeonggi Province suburban railway, enhancing connectivity in the southern part of Gyeonggi Province. The extension of the Uijeongbu railway line to the Guksung area, covering a distance of 6.8 kilometers, would also be part of the plan.

The Uijeongbu urban railway, which began operation in 2013, has been criticized for its limited passenger flow due to inadequate connectivity with other urban railways, earning it the nickname "the favorite pet of the local government."

Completion of the Guksung Extension would allow the Uijeongbu urban railway to serve as a crucial link connecting the city's east and west, moving away from its current isolated status. However, the project will require coordination and cooperation between the two cities, as it passes through the economic heart of Uijeongbu. The feasibility of the Dongbaek-Sinbong line's extension is contingent upon the success of the Dongbaek-Sinbong extension feasibility study, which will also consider the economic benefits-to-cost ratio, currently estimated at 1.23.

The project's alignment with the "Second Gyeonggi Metropolitan City Urban Railway Network Construction Plan" will be essential for securing final project viability through the Ministry of Transport's pre-feasibility study, basic plan confirmation, and designation process. The city plans to prioritize economic viability (B/C) verification in the feasibility study, taking into account recent developments such as the creation of a national semiconductor hub, progress in the informal settlement improvement project in informal settlement areas, and changes in Uijeongbu City's master plan.

Additionally, the city will examine strategies for integrating existing railway networks, ensuring safety, and facilitating cross-border intersections with existing railway networks and the Gyeongbu Expressway.