Incheon’s long-awaited Jungbong Tunnel project has been set in motion with the selection of a preferred negotiator, promising to significantly reduce travel time between southern and northwestern Incheon.
Incheon has progressed with one of its long-awaited infrastructure projects, the Jungbong Tunnel, which aims to connect southern and northwestern regions of the city. Recently, the Incheon city government announced that it has selected the Jungbong Tunnel Corporation, led by DL Construction, as the preferred negotiator following a comprehensive review by the Land and Transportation Research Institute. The tunnel, measuring a total length of 4.567 kilometers with a dual lane roadway, will significantly enhance the crucial arterial road network by linking previously disconnected segments of Jungbong-daero.
The total project cost is estimated at 349.3 billion KRW, with a public-private partnership model where the private sector is responsible for construction, retaining operational rights for a set duration while transferring ownership to the city. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time by approximately 20 minutes and decrease travel costs by up to 4,230 KRW, which signifies substantial economic benefits for commuters. Furthermore, traffic congestion on major bottlenecks such as Bongsudae Road and Seogog Road is projected to decrease by as much as 23,000 vehicles per day, contributing to smoother traffic flow within the city.
The city plans to finalize negotiations with the selected contractor by the end of this year, followed by the necessary administrative procedures such as detailed design before construction is anticipated to commence in 2028. This project is seen as a pivotal step towards improving transportation infrastructure in Incheon and enhancing connectivity within the region.
