Sokcho City secures government support for the expansion project of access roads near the station in preparation for the opening of the East-West High-Speed Railway

The project to expand the access road to the station area, which Sokcho City has been promoting in preparation for the opening of the Chuncheon-Sokcho East-West High-Speed ​​Railway and the Gangneung-Jejin Donghae Bukbu Line, will receive government funding.

The city announced on the 22nd that the 'urban infrastructure expansion project around the station area', which has been promoted as a priority project, was finally selected as a new border area development support project for 2027 by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Accordingly, the city plans to invest 26.3 billion won from 2027 to 2029 to expand and maintain Sopyeong-ro in the 1.56km section between Sopyeong Intersection and Nori Intersection.

The road, which currently has two lanes, will be expanded to four lanes with a width of 25m, and infrastructure such as a bridge and water supply and sewage systems will also be maintained.

Among the total project costs, the national budget is 18.41 billion won, which is 70% of the total project cost.

The rest is covered by provincial funds of 2.367 billion won and city funds of 5.523 billion won.

This amount of government funding is the largest single project among newly selected projects for development support in the border area of ​​Gangwon-do.

Sopyeong-ro is the main road leading to Sokcho Station and the station area.

The current road width is only about 12m, so traffic congestion is expected due to an increase in users and vehicles when the railway opens and development of the station area begins.

The city applied for a new border development support project last July to expand road infrastructure ahead of the opening of the railroad and development of the station area.

Afterwards, it was finally selected through a local inspection by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security in August, and procedures such as road changes, detailed design, permits, and compensation for incorporated land will be carried out in accordance with the city plan.

The goal is to begin construction in the first half of 2028 and complete in 2029.

We plan to secure annual government funding in accordance with the project period.

When expanding Sopyeong-ro, it is expected that accessibility to Sokcho Station will be improved and there will be changes in vehicle flow around the station area.

In the future, the effect of infrastructure expansion is expected to continue in the development of the investment district near Sokcho Station and the revitalization of private investment.

Mayor Lee Byung-seon said, "It is significant that we have been able to prepare the necessary infrastructure in advance with government support in preparation for the opening of the railroad and development of the station area," and added, "We will secure the annual budget and proceed with administrative procedures without a hitch so that citizens and tourists can use Sokcho Station conveniently."