Busan is good

'Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway' Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (July 10) that the “Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway Construction Project” has passed the preliminary feasibility study deliberation by the Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. This will enable the establishment of a stable, railway-based metropolitan transportation network connecting the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region within a one-hour living zone.

The success of the preliminary feasibility study reflects the continued joint efforts of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam.

• ●In June last year, Mayor Park Heong-joon of Busan, Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom of Ulsan, and Governor Park Wan-soo of Gyeongnam jointly submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to expedite the project.

• ●Additionally, at the Fiscal Project Evaluation Subcommittee meeting held this June, the three local governments actively emphasized the necessity of the project.

The Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway is not only a single line connecting the three cities but also a key route expected to enhance interconnectivity and synergy across the entire southeastern region through transfers. It holds significant value in the formation of an integrated economic zone in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region.

In particular, this project will lay the foundation for transforming the underdeveloped Nopo Station area into a new strategic hub within the mega-regional economic zone, in alignment with the city's ongoing “Comprehensive Development of the Nopo Station Area” plan.

• ●Nopo Station, designated as a metropolitan railway stop, will directly connect Busan, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan through transfers with Busan Metro Line 1 and the Yangsan Line, and extend to East Busan and the Donghae Line via the Jeonggwan Line.

Furthermore, the project is expected to provide a significant boost to the long-anticipated Jeonggwan Line urban railway, which will connect at Wolpyeong.

• ●It will improve transportation convenience for residents of Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun, enabling access to central Busan, Yangsan, and Ulsan.

The Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway will span a total length of 47.6 kilometers (8.9 km in Busan), enabling travel from Nopo Station to KTX Ulsan Station in approximately 45 minutes, with 35 round trips per day. The line will be operated using AGT-type (automated guideway transit) steel-wheeled light rail vehicles.

• ●The route connects major hubs along the Busan (Nopo)–Yangsan (Ungsang)–Ulsan (KTX Ulsan Station) corridor, encompassing 11 stations in total (2 in Busan), with a total project cost estimated at approximately KRW 2.5475 trillion.

• ●It will be directly connected to four currently disconnected lines: Busan Metro Line 1 (Nopo Station), Jeonggwan Line, Yangsan Line, and Ulsan Metro Line 1.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is expected to commence feasibility and basic planning studies within this year.

• ●During the basic planning phase, the route and station locations will be finalized through comprehensive considerations including surveys, ground investigations, strategic environmental impact assessments, and disaster risk reviews, in collaboration with the Korea National Railway, central government agencies, local governments, and expert stakeholders.

• ●The total project cost will be finalized in consultation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, followed by basic and detailed design and eventual construction commencement.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The Busan–Yangsan–Ulsan Metropolitan Railway will revitalize the Nopo Station area, resolve transportation challenges in Geumjeong-gu, Gijang-gun, and northeastern Busan, and enhance commuting, schooling, and mobility for all citizens traveling to and from Yangsan and Ulsan.”
He added, “Our city will collaborate closely with Ulsan City and Gyeongnam Province to ensure the project begins construction and opens as early as possible.”

Additionally, he emphasized, “This metropolitan railway will not only accelerate the overall development of Busan but also strengthen connectivity between industrial zones, logistics hubs, and residential areas, contributing to balanced regional development. It will serve as a critical opportunity for the southern region of Korea, centered on Busan, to emerge as a new national growth axis capable of competing with the Seoul metropolitan area.”