Incheon Metropolitan City has taken a major step forward in its long‑planned Gyeongseo–Geomdan underground road link, announcing the selection of the preferred bidder for the privately financed Jungbong Tunnel project. The consortium—tentatively named Jungbong Tunnel Co., Ltd. and led by DL Construction—was confirmed following a comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements.
A Strategic North–South Mobility Corridor
The Jungbong Tunnel is a core component of Incheon’s Northern Region Comprehensive Development Plan, designed to relieve chronic congestion and strengthen connectivity between the city’s southern and northwestern districts. The project will deliver:
- Total length: approx. 4.5–4.567 km
- Configuration: Four‑lane underground road
- Alignment: Connecting Gyeongseo Intersection (Gyeongseo-dong) to Geomdan 2nd Intersection (Wanggil-dong) in Seo‑gu
- Delivery model: BTO‑a (Build–Transfer–Operate, adjusted) private investment structure
- Estimated project cost: 349.3 billion KRW (city announcement) to 3,493 billion KRW (expanded scope reflected in later planning documents)
The project has also secured 512 billion KRW in national funding, following its inclusion in the 5th Metropolitan Area Traffic Congestion Road Improvement Plan (2026–2030) issued by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This national‑level endorsement significantly strengthens the project’s financial and delivery certainty.
Timeline and Next Steps
Incheon City aims to finalise negotiations with the preferred bidder by late 2025, enabling construction to begin in 2028. Other planning documents indicate a broader regional schedule targeting construction commencement between 2027–2028 and completion by 2032, depending on final approvals and procurement sequencing.
Expected Mobility and Economic Benefits
Once operational, the Jungbong Tunnel is expected to deliver substantial transport efficiency gains across the western metropolitan corridor:
- Travel time reduction: Up to 20 minutes between southern and northwestern Incheon
- Traffic volume relief: Up to 23,000 vehicles/day reduction on adjacent arterials including Bongsoodaero and Seogot‑ro
- Cost savings: Estimated 4,230 KRW reduction in travel costs for users
- Network continuity: Completion of a key north–south arterial link currently severed along Jungbong‑daero
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong‑bok emphasised that the tunnel will serve as a “core piece of infrastructure completing the city’s north–south arterial network,” enabling residents to experience tangible improvements in daily mobility and congestion relief.
Consortium Capabilities and Project Readiness
DL Construction, acting as lead investor and constructor, demonstrated strong technical and financial capacity during the evaluation process. The consortium’s proposal met the city’s requirements for design, construction, and long‑term operational stability—key criteria for BTO‑a projects.
The selection marks the successful completion of the first stage of the private investment evaluation process, positioning the project to move swiftly into detailed negotiations, environmental review, and final design. 10/26.
