2024-07-22 18:13:10
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Kim Jin-tae met with KDI President Cho Dong-cheol and requested ‘support for passing the preliminary feasibility study on major SOC pending projects.’ On the afternoon of July 22, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Kim Jin-tae visited the Korea Development Institute (KDI) and met with President Cho Dong-cheol to explain the necessity of passing the preliminary feasibility study on major SOC pending projects in the province and requested active cooperation.
The Korea Development Institute is a national research institute that conducts B/C analysis and economic feasibility studies to evaluate whether to implement major SOC projects by comparing their benefits and costs. In our province, the Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway and Yongmun-Hongcheon Railway projects are currently undergoing preliminary feasibility studies.
First, Governor Kim requested KDI’s full support to pass the ‘Yeongwol-Samcheok Expressway Construction Preliminary Feasibility Study’, the biggest current issue in the province. It has been 27 years since the construction of the expressway from Pyeongtaek to Jecheon began, but the Jecheon-Samcheok section is still unconnected, and he explained the difficult reality of the southern Gangwon region, which has been relegated to being an inland island, and requested cooperation to pass the preliminary feasibility study this time so that the biggest issue in the region can be resolved.
In particular, the poor B/C problem of Baekdudaegan is a geographical environment that can never be overcome, and it is economically feasible to build a highway rather than building one, so it was emphasized that the economy would be better if a highway were built, and a positive economic feasibility analysis would be conducted by KDI.
In addition, Governor Kim explained that the increase in compensation costs due to rising prices and the relocation of military bases is unavoidable in relation to the construction of the Jecheon-Yeongwol Expressway, which passed the feasibility study with difficulty in August 2020 despite its low economic feasibility and is now in the design stage, and asked for a smooth first step toward completing the six-axis east-west project, as this project has passed the feasibility study with difficulty.
In addition, Governor Kim strongly emphasized that the ‘Yongmun-Hongcheon Metropolitan Railway’, which was selected with great difficulty as a preliminary feasibility study target project in January 2024 and is currently being promoted, is an absolutely necessary project for balanced regional development by improving accessibility to the metropolitan area and eliminating blind spots in railway transportation, and requested passage of the preliminary feasibility study.
In response, Director Cho Dong-cheol said, “I fully understand the governor’s passion and desperation for the major SOC projects in Gangwon-do that are currently underway,” and added, “KDI researchers will also work diligently to ensure that the wishes of the residents of the province are well reflected through high-level research and insightful policy directions.”
Governor Kim Jin-tae said, “The SOC projects carried out by KDI in the province are important issues that will determine the future of the province,” and promised, “If necessary, I will visit again at any time to personally explain the legitimacy of the projects.”
Queen Choi Ha Na Reporter
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2024-07-22 18:13:10