The Busan-Masan double track railway, connecting Busan and Masan in South Gyeongsang Province, is set to partially open on April 1, 2027. Following delays caused by the Nakdong 1 Tunnel accident, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to open completed sections first to alleviate transportation inconveniences for local residents.
On August 25, the ministry announced that it will prioritize the opening of completed sections of the Busan-Masan double track railway, a key rail network in the southeastern region.
The initial sections to be opened include the Busan Station to Sasang Station segment and the Gangseo Geumho Station to Jinrye Signal Station segment. The Busan-Sasang segment will connect to Cheongnyangni and Dongdaegu via the Central Line and Donghae Line, while the Gangseo Geumho Station to Jinrye Signal Station segment will operate to Masan in conjunction with the existing Gyeongjeon Line.
To minimize inconvenience for passengers, shuttle buses will be utilized for the uncompleted section between Sasang Station and Gangseo Geumho Station.
The Busan-Masan double track railway is considered a vital project for the regional transportation network. Once fully operational, travel time between Busan Station and Masan Station is expected to decrease from approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to about 30 minutes.
However, the project has faced delays since a collapse occurred in the Nakdong 1 Tunnel during construction in 2020. The ministry has established a construction accident investigation committee to determine the cause of the incident and review plans for full operation. The final investigation results are expected to be announced in the second half of this year.
This partial opening is a measure to utilize sections that are ready for normal operation ahead of the complete opening. The ministry has coordinated with relevant agencies, including Smart Rail, the Korea National Railway Corporation, and Korea Railroad Corporation, to select the completed sections.
The 3.3 km segment between Sasang and Gangseo Geumho, which is under additional review due to the accident, will not be included in this initial opening. The ministry aims to reflect the investigation results in the construction of the remaining sections and conduct comprehensive test operations, targeting full opening by the end of 2028.
As a regional railway that connects the living areas of Busan, Gimhae, and Changwon, the partial opening is expected to ease commuting and educational demands in the southeastern region.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok expressed gratitude to the residents of Busan and Gyeongnam for their patience during the delays, stating, "We decided to prioritize the opening of completed sections to provide residents with more convenient transportation services as soon as possible." He emphasized that safety is a non-negotiable value, stating, "We will ensure a flawless railway by reflecting the results of the construction accident investigation committee, which will be announced in the second half of the year."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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