Busan, South Korea – After decades of anticipation and challenges, the city of Busan is finally inaugurating the Mandeok-Choeup (Asiad) Tunnel on July 1. The tunnel is expected to drastically alleviate traffic congestion, seamlessly connecting Deokcheon-dong in Buk-gu and Geoje-dong in Yeonje-gu. The opening ceremony, scheduled for June 30, marks the successful completion of a project that began in 1994 and faced considerable obstacles over the years.
The Mandeok-Choeup (Asiad) Tunnel project began with the goal of improving traffic conditions in Busan. However, the project was suspended due to the 1997 IMF crisis, the delay in securing a contractor, and additional setbacks such as the Ukraine-Russia war and strikes by concrete and freight transport unions that disrupted the supply of necessary construction materials.
After years of persistence, the project was finally revived as a national project in 2015, funded by the national and city budgets. The construction officially commenced on February 23, 2016, with an initial completion date in December 2020. However, the date was subsequently postponed to December 2022 and eventually to June 2023, largely due to the geopolitical and industrial disruptions mentioned above.
The opening of this tunnel is met with a mixed response from local residents. The construction was the source of substantial environmental concerns for locals, particularly for residents and schools near Mandeok 2-dong, due to the noise and dust pollution. However, the benefits of the tunnel, including faster connectivity to Yeonje-gu and Busanjin-gu, are seen as outweighing the temporary inconveniences caused by the construction.
Unlike other recent tunnel projects such as Sanseong Tunnel, Cheonma Tunnel, and Geumjeongsan Tunnel, which were part of the Busan Outer Ring Expressway project, the Mandeok-Choeup (Asiad) Tunnel will not levy any tolls, given its transition from a private investment to a state project. This is only the second such occurrence after the opening of the Yunsan Tunnel, making it a significant milestone in Busan’s infrastructure development.
Prior to the opening of the Mandeok-Choeup (Asiad) Tunnel, the quickest route from Mandeok to Choeup was to pass through the second Mandeok Tunnel and go towards the Busan Asiad Main Stadium from the Minam Intersection. Although this route takes approximately 15 minutes during off-peak hours, considering the traffic congestion on Mandeok-daero and the second Mandeok Tunnel, and at the Minam Intersection, travel time often exceeds 40 minutes and can even stretch to an hour during weekends and public holidays. The new tunnel is expected to substantially cut down this travel time.
Initially known by various names including the Choeup Tunnel and the third Mandeok Tunnel, the official name was finalized as the Mandeok-Choeup (Asiad) Tunnel at the time of its opening. This long-awaited infrastructural improvement is indeed a milestone for the city of Busan, signifying its dedication to advancing urban development and enhancing the quality of life for its residents
