Western Busan’s Sustainable Growth Vision

Busan, South Korea - In a decisive push toward a balanced and sustainable urban future, Busan’s Western region has taken center stage as the focal point for an ambitious slate of transportation and infrastructure projects. Mayor Park Heong-joon, backed by key stakeholders and government initiatives, has set his sights on transforming the area into a thriving industrial and residential hub, solidifying Busan’s role in the nation’s economic strategy.

“Busan’s future relies on the success of Western Busan as an essential economic engine,” Mayor Park declared at the recent 17th Western Busan On-Site Meeting held at the Eco Delta City Observatory. “We’re dedicated to creating a region where people want to work, live, and invest.”

Central to this vision is a comprehensive upgrade to Western Busan’s transportation network, aimed at easing congestion, improving regional connectivity, and aligning with the city’s goals of balanced development. Among the infrastructure linchpins are the Nakdonggang River’s three critical bridge projects—Daejeodaegyo, Eomgungdaegyo, and Jangnakdaegyo—expected to transform the region’s accessibility. Collectively, these bridges will connect Western Busan’s industrial areas with its residential zones and beyond, creating streamlined connections for freight and passenger traffic alike.

The Daejeodaegyo bridge project, which commenced construction on October 23, spans 8.24 km and features a four-lane, bi-directional roadway. Meanwhile, Eomgungdaegyo (3.0 km) and Jangnakdaegyo (1.53 km) are in their final design and permitting stages, with groundbreaking planned for early next year. All three bridges are strategically planned for completion by 2029, with thorough oversight to manage environmental impact assessments and construction challenges. These bridges are positioned as foundational to Busan’s city-wide transportation strategy, expected to alleviate chronic congestion and improve connectivity across Western Busan.

Complementing these bridge projects is the Seunghak Tunnel—a core 7.53 km roadway that will link Eomgung-dong in Sasang-gu to Chungjang-daero in Jung-gu. Set to open in 2030, the tunnel will meet rising transportation demands brought on by the redevelopment of North Port and strengthen Western Busan’s role as a logistics hub along the Nakdonggang River. City officials have emphasized the importance of maintaining steady progress on these multi-phase projects to ensure timely completion and to meet the region’s expanding logistics and commuter needs.

Further enhancing this network is the newly approved Hadan-Noksan Line, an extensive light rail project connecting Hadan Station through Myeongji International New Town to Noksan National Industrial Complex. Despite the challenges posed by the region’s soft soil conditions, which have caused delays in similar projects, city officials express confidence in the line’s timely completion, scheduled for 2029. “This line is a critical part of Busan’s plan to alleviate congestion and offer sustainable transit solutions,” Mayor Park noted, emphasizing that such projects are tailored to Busan’s unique environmental and urban landscape.

Building on this, city leaders reviewed key updates for other metro expansion projects, aiming to create a “15-minute city” that ensures swift, reliable connections across Eastern and Western Busan. Among the pivotal lines under review are:

• Sasang-Hadan Line: This line will link Metro Line 2 (Sasang Station) with Metro Line 1 (Hadan Station), enhancing transit convenience and allowing smoother interchanges between key lines.
• Hadan-Noksan Line: Designed to link Metro Line 1’s Hadan Station with the Noksan National Industrial Complex, this project promises to alleviate chronic congestion in Western Busan and improve quality of life by reducing commute times.
• Gangseo Line: Set to connect Metro Line 3’s Daejeo Station to the Myeongji area, this line will enhance access to Eco Delta City (EDC), positioning it as a core area for future residential and economic activities in Western Busan.

Additionally, the city is expediting the development of the BuTX express rail, a next-generation transit system linking the upcoming Gadeokdo New Airport with the Osiria Tourism Complex. Scheduled to open alongside Gadeokdo Airport, BuTX will ensure seamless connectivity across Busan as officials work to streamline administrative processes to support a swift and efficient rollout.

In a parallel effort to improve daily convenience and uphold citizens' right to easy mobility, the city is evaluating a comprehensive revamp of Busan’s bus network using big data analysis. This initiative aims to address issues such as the longer bus intervals in urban areas compared to central districts, as well as extended travel times to the city center. Proposed improvements include reducing intervals through optimized route adjustments and establishing new routes to meet growing demand in newly developed neighborhoods like Eco Delta City.

Additionally, for underserved zones such as industrial complexes in Western Busan, the city is exploring demand-responsive transit options that provide flexible, on-request service to meet specific local needs. Further enhancements are underway at Sasang Station’s transfer center, where escalators, elevators, and moving walkways are being installed to improve accessibility and overall commuter experience, underscoring Busan’s commitment to modernizing its public transit infrastructure.

The far-reaching impact of these projects is expected to ripple through Western Busan’s economy, creating jobs, enhancing accessibility, and increasing overall quality of life. Gadeokdo Airport’s opening and the expansion of Busan’s ports stand to make the region a gateway for both domestic and international trade, adding further weight to the city’s already strategic role in global logistics. Residents are hopeful that this transformation will address long-standing issues like congestion and access to public services, allowing Busan’s west to keep pace with its eastern counterpart.

Mayor Park Heong-joon has highlighted Western Busan’s critical role in shaping the future of the southeastern region’s economy. Positioned as a new center for industry and logistics, Western Busan is set to drive development through comprehensive transportation infrastructure and strategic investments. By expanding key infrastructure, including roadways, bridges, and transit networks, the city aims to build a region that attracts both industry and residents, turning Western Busan into a place known for its high quality of life and economic opportunity.

Major projects, such as the Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone (BJFEZ), Busan New Port, and the planned Gadeokdo New Airport, reflect this ambition, preparing Western Busan to handle an increase in logistics and transportation demands. To support this growth, the city’s focus is on integrating these developments through a connected network of roads and railways, ultimately enhancing the southeastern region’s economic resilience. Officials anticipate that the synergies between the airport and port will be a linchpin for economic integration, providing benefits that reach far beyond Busan.