The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is promoting a private investment project to expand some sections of the Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expressway to a maximum of eight lanes. The public announcement for selecting a project implementer will start on the 25th.
According to the Ministry of Land on the 24th, this announcement will proceed for about four months until Nov. 24, and the preferred negotiation target is expected to be designated around January next year. Following this, the project aims for the commencement of construction in the second half of 2028 and opening by the end of 2033 after going through subsequent procedures such as implementation agreements.
The project targets a total section of 36.4 km from the Seopyeongtaek Junction (JCT) to the Namansan Interchange (IC), expanding the currently four-lane road to six to eight lanes in both directions. The entire Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expressway spans 42.6 km.
The route is a key logistics axis in the southwestern part of the metropolitan area, connecting the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port and Incheon Port, where transportation demand linked to industrial complexes is concentrated. The Ministry of Land noted that "the expansion construction can respond to future demand such as SongSan Green City and alleviate chronic traffic congestion," emphasizing the need for private participation.
This project is the first case to be promoted after related system improvements for a 'modified operation-type private investment project' where the existing highway is directly expanded and operated by the private sector. Previously, it could only be applied to sections where operations had ended, but since last year, it has become possible to expand its application to roads that are currently in operation.
The project was first proposed in July 2019 through a private suggestion method and was finally confirmed for promotion on the 8th of this month after undergoing eligibility investigations and strategic environmental assessments, among other processes.
Lee Woo-je, Director of the Road Bureau at the Ministry of Land, said, "The expansion of the Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expressway is significant not only for improving traffic conditions in the southwestern metropolitan area but also for enhancing industrial and logistics competitiveness," adding, "We will actively discover modified private investment projects to diversify private investment methods."