Busan's Seunghak Tunnel Construction Set for 2024

The Busan city announced that the construction of a tunnel connecting the neighborhoods of Eomgung-dong in Sasang-gu district and Jungang-dong in Jung-gu district is set to commence in 2024, with an expected completion date of 2029. The Seunghak Tunnel project, a private investment initiative, recently passed the deliberation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Private Investment Project Review Committee.

Following the designation of project implementers in mid-April, the city government will report to the City Council and sign a cooperative agreement. The project will be carried out in collaboration with private companies, which will construct the facilities, transfer ownership to the government, and operate it for 30 years to generate profits.

The Seunghak Tunnel will span 7.69 kilometers and feature four lanes in both directions. Construction is estimated to take five years, with a toll fee of 1,500 won for passenger cars, 95 won cheaper than the third-party proposal of 1,595 won.

Upon completion, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time from Busan North Port to Gadeokdo New International Airport by approximately 20 minutes during peak hours, significantly improving accessibility to the airport. This development is crucial for Busan as the city gears up to host the 2030 World Expo, ensuring smooth transportation and connectivity for the event.