Land Ministry says travel time between Deokjeong and Samsung stations to drop from 80 minutes to 30

The GTX-C line connecting Yangju in Gyeonggi Province and Suwon breaks ground Tuesday. [Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]
The GTX-C line connecting Yangju in Gyeonggi Province and Suwon breaks ground Tuesday. [Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport]

The long-delayed GTX-C line is breaking ground. The 86.6-kilometer route will run from Deokjeong in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, through Changdong, Cheongnyangni, Samsung and Yangjae stations before terminating at Suwon and Sangnoksu station in Ansan.

Once open, the line is expected to significantly improve commutes for new-town residents traveling between Yangju and Seoul's Gangnam district, as well as those commuting to Gangnam from Suwon, Uiwang and surrounding areas.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday it was launching construction on the GTX-C private investment project and would also open a promotional center where prospective passengers can preview the service.

When the line opens, travel time between Deokjeong and Samsung stations will fall from 80 minutes to 30, while the Suwon–Cheongnyangni leg will shrink from about 75 minutes to 30. Planned stops include Deokjeong, Uijeongbu, Changdong, Kwangwoon University, Cheongnyangni, Wangsimni, Samsung, Yangjae, Government Gwacheon Complex, Indeokwon, Geumjeong, Uiwang and Suwon stations. The line will also branch at Geumjeong to share the Ansan Line, adding Sangnoksu station.

Construction is expected to take 60 months from the ground-breaking, with the line targeting an opening in the second half of 2031. Total project costs stand at 4.93 trillion won ($3.68 billion).

The project held a ground-breaking ceremony in January 2024 but stalled after Hyundai E&C and other lead contractors clashed with the government over cost increases driven by soaring materials and labor expenses that they said were not adequately reflected in the contract. The Korea Commercial Arbitration Board stepped in to broker a settlement in April, and in August the Private Investment Project Review Committee approved changes to the implementation agreement.

The ministry will hold an official opening ceremony for the promotional center at Suwon Station on Tuesday. Metropolitan Area Transportation Commission Chairman Kim Yong-seok will attend alongside lawmakers and local government heads. Visitors can explore the line's travel times and train designs and take part in various events.

"I am overjoyed to be able to share with the public that the C line, which has faced difficulties for so long, is finally breaking ground," Kim said. "We will manage the construction process rigorously to ensure quality and safety, and open the line on schedule."


smh@heraldcorp.com