To improve transportation convenience for residents of Busan and the Masan area in South Gyeongsang, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 25th it will open first, on Apr. 1 next year, the completed sections of the core rail network in the southeast region, the Bujeon–Masan double-track rail. The Bujeon–Masan double-track rail had been slated for completion in June 2020, but an on-site collapse occurred in March that year, delaying the opening, and this measure aims to minimize inconvenience to residents caused by the delay.
The sections to be opened first are two segments: Bujeon Station–Sasang Station and Gangseogeumho Station–Jinrye signal box. The Bujeon–Sasang segment will operate to Cheongnyangni and Dongdaegu using the Jungang Line and the Donghae Line, and the Gangseogeumho Station–Jinrye signal box segment will operate to Masan in connection with the existing Gyeongjeon Line.
The Sasang–Gangseogeumho (3.3 kilometers) segment, where the accident occurred, is excluded. In March 2020, a collapse occurred in the evacuation connecting passage of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1. Accordingly, additional inspections of evacuation connecting passages and other elements, identification of the cause of the accident, and tests for opening are underway. The Construction Accident Investigation Committee plans to announce in the second half the final results on the cause of the accident, including an opening plan.
The full-line opening is expected at the end of 2028 after construction of the remaining sections reflecting the investigation results and comprehensive rail test runs. When the entire line opens, travel time between Bujeon Station and Masan Station could be cut by about one hour, from the current 1 hour 30 minutes to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Planning and Budget convened the Private Investment Project Deliberation Committee the same day and deliberated and approved an amendment to the implementation agreement for the Bujeon–Masan Line reflecting these details.