Seoul Metro completes safety checks, test runs ahead of restart; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approves revised rail safety management system
Safety is the paramount concern in subway operations.
Seoul Metro Line 7's Jangam Station will resume service Saturday, starting with the first train of the day, after completing about a month of closure to install a temporary station building and platform and connect the new structure to existing tracks.
The station suspended operations from Oct. 2 through Thursday to verify the safety of the temporary facility. Starting Saturday, passengers will be served from the newly built temporary station.
The temporary station arrangement stems from Gyeonggi Province's Dobongsan–Okjeong metropolitan railway construction project, for which Gyeonggi Province is the project operator. During the closure, workers installed the temporary station building and platform and connected them to the existing line.
Following construction, Seoul Metro and Gyeonggi Province conducted a joint inspection, an external expert review and test train runs to confirm the safety and operational suitability of the rail facilities.
Seoul Metro also received approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Wednesday to amend its rail safety management system for the temporary station, completing all administrative requirements needed to resume service.
Seoul Metro said it plans to work closely with Gyeonggi Province to minimize passenger confusion and ensure the stable operation of the temporary station and platform.
"We are grateful for the understanding and cooperation of citizens who endured the inconvenience during the Jangam Station closure," said Jeong Won-gyu, head of Seoul Metro's strategic business division. "Even after service resumes, we will do our utmost to maintain rigorous safety management at the temporary station and work closely with Gyeonggi Province so that citizens can use it with confidence." Jeong added that the corporation would "cooperate closely with the project operator to ensure the Dobongsan–Okjeong metropolitan railway construction project also proceeds without a hitch."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
