Busan is good

Busan City to Eliminate Toll Fees for Sujeongsan Tunnel Starting April 19, 2027

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that toll fees for Sujeongsan Tunnel will be eliminated beginning April 19, 2027, following the expiration of the private investor’s management and operation period on April 18.

The resolution titled "Agreement on the Implementation Method of the Sujeongsan Tunnel Private Investment Project," which centers on the toll-free operation of the tunnel, was passed today (June 19) at the plenary session of the Busan Metropolitan Council. With this resolution, the tunnel will be operated toll-free for the first time in 25 years.

Sujeongsan Tunnel is a section of Gwanmun-daero connecting Jwacheon-dong in Dong-gu to Gaya-dong in Busanjin-gu. Since its opening on April 19, 2002, it has operated as a privately funded toll road.

To determine the operational approach following the end of the private management period, the city commissioned the Public and Private Infrastructure Investment Management Center at the Busan Development Institute in 2024 to develop a transition plan.

Based on this plan, which included projections for future traffic volume, the city concluded that the current two-lane configuration in each direction is adequate and that lane expansion is unnecessary. Consequently, the city decided to operate the tunnel as a toll-free facility moving forward.

However, anticipating a temporary increase in traffic due to the removal of tolls, the city plans to conduct a field survey of the surrounding roads and intersections. Based on the findings, it will establish measures to optimize traffic signals and improve road geometry where necessary.

After the transition, the following management responsibilities will be assigned:

• ●Legal safety management will be handled by the Busan Metropolitan City Construction Safety Empirical Work Center

• ●Routine maintenance will be entrusted to the Busan Facilities Corporation

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “We expect the toll-free policy for Sujeongsan Tunnel to reduce transportation costs for citizens,” and added, “We will thoroughly inspect and manage the tunnel’s traffic flow and facilities to ensure a smooth and convenient experience for all users.”

Reference: Overview of the Sujeongsan Tunnel Private Investment Project

• ●Route: Jwacheon-dong (Dong-gu) – Gaya-dong (Busanjin-gu)

• ●Specifications: Length: 2,356 meters / Width: 9.9 meters (dual tunnels, 4 lanes total)

• ●Total Project Cost: KRW 128.055 billion (KRW 77.196 billion private investment)
  ※ Based on fixed prices as of January 29, 1997

• ●Operation Period: April 19, 2002 – April 18, 2027 (25 years)
  ※ Construction period: November 1997 – December 2001

• ●Toll Fees:

• ○Compact vehicles: KRW 500

• ○Small vehicles: KRW 1,000

• ○Large and extra-large vehicles: KRW 1,500

• ●Project Operator: Sujeongsan Investment Co., Ltd.
  ※ Shareholder: 100% MKIF (Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund)