Catching the Train To and From Ilsan to Become More Convenient

Sections of track between Yongsan and Munsan on the Kyoungi train line are to be doubled by the year 2006 and additional stations such as Poongsan (between Baekma and Ilsan) and Tanhyun (between Ilsan and Unjung) will be built. Moreover, protective embankments will be construction near stations from Gumchun to Munsan which are areas that are habitually prone to flooding. This is hoped to protect or lower the impact of any damage from natural causes.
The Ministry of Construction and Transportation announced on March 6 that it has slated about 670 billion won ($560 million) in turning 46.9km of the Kyoungi line into a double-track line. This is in preparation for an expected increase in ridership to northwestern Seoul and areas near Ilsan due to heavy land and residential development in the area.
The Double-track railways when completed is expected to solve Ilsan's traffic conjestion by increasing the number of trains from the previous 46 to as much as 288 for one day's operation.
Especially for railways lying in flooded zones such as Munsan, the height of the railroad bed will be lifted by 4.6 meters so that it can also function as an embankment preventing flooding from neighboring Dongmun lake.
Moreover, the Korean National Railway has set up plans for construction of double-tracked railways which include completion of improvements to the rail lines from Jinjoo and Kangneng stations.

by Kim Tae-jin