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Honam Line (KTX)
Encyclopedia
The Honam High Speed Railway (Honam HSR) is an in-construction high-speed railway
between Osong (on the existing Gyeongbu High Speed Railway) and Mokpo
in South Korea
. The line will become part of Korail
's Korea Train Express
(KTX) system, accelerating Seoul-Mokpo and Seoul-Gwangju
KTX high-speed services which presently use the existing conventional Honam Line
.
in southwest Korea, accelerating the service on the existing route that was eventually established in KTX's first phase.
The first feasibility study in 2003 came to the conclusion that the construction of a full line is not justified by demand, and proposed a two-stage construction. The first stage, to be realised by 2015, would involve a connection from a second Seoul terminus in the southeast part of the city to the Gyeongbu HSR, and a branch from the Gyeongbu HSR to Iksan
, paralleling the existing Honam Line. The second phase, to be realised by 2020, would include the separate tracks on the section paralleling the Gyeongbu Line, and the extension from Iksan to Gwangju
and Mokpo, paralleling the existing Honam Line. The cost of the entire project was estimated at 10,378.6 billion won.
On January 14, 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan
met local representatives in Gwangju, who requested an early implementation of the project. Lee pointed to the failure of the first phase of the KTX in meeting ridership forecasts during its first months, expressed skepticism regarding the profitability of the Honam HSR, and described it as a long-term project. However, in December the same year, in the light of low approval in the affected provinces, the government reversed its stance and agreed to complete the project to Gwangju by 2015.
In plans made official in August 2006 in spite of a benefit-cost ratio
below 1, the budget for the 182.75 km first stage (from the new Osong Station
on the Gyeongbu HSR to Gwangju) was set at 8,569.5 billion won. The second stage, the 48.74 km remaining to Mokpo, was to be finished by 2017 with a budget of 2,002.2 billion won. The altogether 230.99 km, 10,571.7 billion won project would enable Seoul-Mokpo travel times of 1 hour 46 minutes. Ahead of the 2007 Presidential elections
, eventual winner Lee Myung-bak
promised to accelerate the project by 3 years (with the first section finished by 2012). While this date was deemed unrealistic by the responsible ministry, a one-year acceleration (first phase in 2014) was announced in January 2009. The Osong-Iksan section of the first phase is also intended for use as high-speed test track for rolling stock development, to be fitted with special catenary and instrumented track.
The project is financed to 50% by direct government funds and 50% loans.
Lee Myung-bak on December 4, 2009, when total project costs were estimated at 11.3 billion won (US$9.8 billion). As of September 2010, progress was 9.6% of the project budget then estimated at 10,490.1 billion won for the first phase, while the estimate for the entire line stood at 12,101.7 billion won.
The entire line from Osong to Mokpo will include a total of 111.7 km of viaducts (48.35%) and 49.12 km of tunnels (21.26%).
High-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
between Osong (on the existing Gyeongbu High Speed Railway) and Mokpo
Mokpo
Mokpo is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Mokpo has frequent train service to Seoul and is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving islands in the adjacent Yellow Sea...
in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The line will become part of Korail
Korail
Korea Railroad Corporation , promoted as Korail , is the national railroad operator in South Korea.Korail operates passenger and freight trains throughout South Korea...
's Korea Train Express
Korea Train Express
Korea Train eXpress is South Korea's high-speed rail system, operated by Korail. Construction began on the first section of the high-speed line from Seoul to Busan in 1992. The project was later split into two phases and combined with conventional line upgrades, adding a second route from Seoul to...
(KTX) system, accelerating Seoul-Mokpo and Seoul-Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
KTX high-speed services which presently use the existing conventional Honam Line
Honam Line
The Honam Line is a major railway line serving the Honam region in South Korea. The line is served by frequent passenger trains from Seoul to Gwangju and Mokpo.-History:...
.
Origins of the project
The most progressed plans for a second high-speed line were for the Honam High Speed Railway, a connection from Seoul to MokpoMokpo
Mokpo is a city in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, on the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula. Mokpo has frequent train service to Seoul and is the terminus for a number of ferry routes serving islands in the adjacent Yellow Sea...
in southwest Korea, accelerating the service on the existing route that was eventually established in KTX's first phase.
The first feasibility study in 2003 came to the conclusion that the construction of a full line is not justified by demand, and proposed a two-stage construction. The first stage, to be realised by 2015, would involve a connection from a second Seoul terminus in the southeast part of the city to the Gyeongbu HSR, and a branch from the Gyeongbu HSR to Iksan
Iksan
Iksan is a city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" , but merged with Iksan County in 1995....
, paralleling the existing Honam Line. The second phase, to be realised by 2020, would include the separate tracks on the section paralleling the Gyeongbu Line, and the extension from Iksan to Gwangju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
and Mokpo, paralleling the existing Honam Line. The cost of the entire project was estimated at 10,378.6 billion won.
On January 14, 2005, Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan
Lee Hae Chan
Lee Hae-chan is a former Prime Minister of South Korea. He was nominated by president Roh Moo-hyun on June 8, 2004, confirmed by the National Assembly on June 29, and took office on June 30. He is a member of the liberal Uri Party, and was elected five times for the National Assembly...
met local representatives in Gwangju, who requested an early implementation of the project. Lee pointed to the failure of the first phase of the KTX in meeting ridership forecasts during its first months, expressed skepticism regarding the profitability of the Honam HSR, and described it as a long-term project. However, in December the same year, in the light of low approval in the affected provinces, the government reversed its stance and agreed to complete the project to Gwangju by 2015.
In plans made official in August 2006 in spite of a benefit-cost ratio
Benefit-cost ratio
A benefit-cost ratio is an indicator, used in the formal discipline of cost-benefit analysis, that attempts to summarize the overall value for money of a project or proposal. A BCR is the ratio of the benefits of a project or proposal, expressed in monetary terms, relative to its costs, also...
below 1, the budget for the 182.75 km first stage (from the new Osong Station
Osong Station
Osong Station is a station on the Gyeongbu KTX Line in Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at the intersection of the Gyeongbu KTX high speed rail line and the conventional Chungbuk Line...
on the Gyeongbu HSR to Gwangju) was set at 8,569.5 billion won. The second stage, the 48.74 km remaining to Mokpo, was to be finished by 2017 with a budget of 2,002.2 billion won. The altogether 230.99 km, 10,571.7 billion won project would enable Seoul-Mokpo travel times of 1 hour 46 minutes. Ahead of the 2007 Presidential elections
South Korean presidential election, 2007
The 17th South Korean presidential election took place on 19 December 2007. The election was won by Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party, returning conservatives to the Blue House for the first time in ten years...
, eventual winner Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak
Lee Myung-bak is the President of South Korea. Prior to his presidency, he was the CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction and the mayor of Seoul. He is married to Kim Yoon-ok and has three daughters and one son. His older brother is Lee Sang-deuk, a South Korean politician. He attends the...
promised to accelerate the project by 3 years (with the first section finished by 2012). While this date was deemed unrealistic by the responsible ministry, a one-year acceleration (first phase in 2014) was announced in January 2009. The Osong-Iksan section of the first phase is also intended for use as high-speed test track for rolling stock development, to be fitted with special catenary and instrumented track.
The project is financed to 50% by direct government funds and 50% loans.
Construction
By December 2009, construction began on three sub-sections of the 182 km line from Osong to Gwangju, which shall enable Seoul-Gwangju travel times of 1 hour 30 minutes. The ground-breaking ceremony was held at Gwangju·Songjeong Station in the attendance of PresidentPresident of South Korea
The President of the Republic of Korea is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea...
Lee Myung-bak on December 4, 2009, when total project costs were estimated at 11.3 billion won (US$9.8 billion). As of September 2010, progress was 9.6% of the project budget then estimated at 10,490.1 billion won for the first phase, while the estimate for the entire line stood at 12,101.7 billion won.
The entire line from Osong to Mokpo will include a total of 111.7 km of viaducts (48.35%) and 49.12 km of tunnels (21.26%).
Stations
Trains will stop at six stations along the line:| Station | Line distance | Distance from Seoul | Travel time (all-stopper) | Travel time (limited stops) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osong Station Osong Station Osong Station is a station on the Gyeongbu KTX Line in Cheongwon County, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. It is located at the intersection of the Gyeongbu KTX high speed rail line and the conventional Chungbuk Line... |
0.00 km | 121.78 km | 0h46m | - |
| Namgongju Station Namgongju Station Namgongju Station is a KTX station under construction. It is on Honam KTX Line.... |
43.82 km | 165.60 km | 0h59m | - |
| Iksan Station Iksan Station Iksan Station is on South Korea's high-speed KTX railway network, 243 km south of Yongsan Station.-History:The station opened on January 1, 1915 and KTX trains on the Honam Line began services on April 1, 2004. The most notable incident to occur at this station, however, was an explosion... |
89.52 km | 211.30 km | 1h13m | 1h09m |
| Jeongeup Station Jeongeup Station Jeongeup Station is a KTX station in the city of Jeongeup. It is on Honam KTX Line.... |
131.75 km | 253.53 km | 1h25m | - |
| Gwangju·Songjeong Station | 182.25 km | 304.03 km | 1h41m | 1h33m |
| Mokpo Station Mokpo Station Mokpo Station is a station in Mokpo. It is on Honam Line. and is also the westernmost railway station in South Korea.-External links:**... |
230.99 km | 352.77 km | 1h55m | 1h46m |