Shin Sang-jin, the mayor of Seongnam, emphasized on November 6 that "the Wirye-Samdong Line and the extension of Subway Line 8 to Pangyo cannot be delayed any longer."
Mayor Shin has actively sought policy cooperation with Seoul to expand Seongnam's transportation network.
During a meeting at Seoul City Hall with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Shin requested the prompt advancement of key railway projects, including the construction of the Wirye-Samdong Line and the extension of Subway Line 8, and discussed specific collaboration strategies to realize these projects.
The core of this meeting was not only to stress the necessity of the railway projects but also to propose cost-sharing measures to alleviate Seoul's financial burden, demonstrating a proactive approach to finding practical solutions for project advancement.
Mayor Shin first highlighted the importance of the Wirye-Samdong Line construction project.
The Wirye-Samdong Line is a metropolitan railway project connecting approximately 10.6 kilometers from Wirye Central Station in the new Wirye City of Seoul to Samdong Station on the Gyeonggang Line in Gwangju.
Once direct operations with the Wirye-Sinsa Line are established, it is expected to significantly improve transportation accessibility to the southeastern part of the metropolitan area without the need for transfers.
Shin stated, "The Wirye-Samdong Line is a crucial railway project that will greatly enhance transportation convenience not only for Seongnam citizens but also for those in Seoul. Once the line is constructed, the expanded usage and demand for the railway will contribute to the financial viability and economic performance of the Wirye-Sinsa Line that Seoul is promoting."
The swift advancement of the Subway Line 8 extension project was also a major agenda item.
This project aims to connect approximately 3.78 kilometers from the Moran Vehicle Depot through Pangyo Techno Valley to Pangyo Station, enhancing transportation accessibility between Seongnam's old town and Pangyo, and alleviating traffic congestion during peak commuting hours.
In particular, it is identified as a key transportation policy task for Seongnam, as it responds to the increased transportation demand resulting from the expansion of industrial and business functions in Pangyo Techno Valley and strengthens connectivity between the old and new urban areas.
Mayor Shin expressed a clear willingness for active cooperation at the city level to ensure the smooth advancement of both projects. He stated, "If Seoul is concerned about financial burdens, Seongnam is willing to actively discuss sharing operational costs and other related expenses."
This reflects Shin's proactive policy commitment to resolving potential financial burden issues between local governments during the railway project process and enhancing the feasibility of the projects.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon responded, "We will closely examine the necessity of the railway projects proposed by Seongnam and explore reasonable solutions for advancing the projects together."
Shin emphasized, "Seoul and Seongnam share a living area for commuting and daily life. Expanding the metropolitan railway network is a crucial task to enhance transportation convenience and quality of life for citizens of both cities."
He added, "We will maintain close communication with Seoul to ensure that the Wirye-Samdong Line and the Subway Line 8 extension projects are advanced swiftly and continue practical cooperation."
Meanwhile, Mayor Shin plans to focus administrative efforts on expanding the metropolitan transportation network to establish a foundation for advancing major railway projects through consultations with relevant local governments, aiming to alleviate commuting inconveniences for citizens and enhance urban competitiveness.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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