The Incheon-origin KTX will begin comprehensive test runs on the 17th, the final hurdle before its opening. An era of high-speed rail that will place residents of Incheon and the southwestern Gyeonggi region within a ‘half-day living zone’ of major cities nationwide is now within reach.
 [코리안투데이] The direct-connection project section around Songdo Station on the Incheon-origin KTX line © 장형임 기자 |
The Incheon Metropolitan City government (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced on the 16th that it had been notified by the Korea National Railway (KNR) that comprehensive test runs, the final stage before the opening of the Incheon-origin KTX, will begin on the 17th. It marks the start in earnest of the last procedures toward opening the era of high-speed rail long awaited by Incheon’s 3.05 million citizens.
These comprehensive test runs are a procedure to verify the safety of train operations under conditions identical to actual commercial service. They will comprehensively inspect core railway systems such as signaling and power supply, as well as passenger convenience facilities throughout stations and platforms. The schedule will proceed in stages, beginning with preliminary inspections on the 17th, followed by facility verification testing during October and then commercial trial operations.
The Incheon-origin KTX direct-connection project involves laying a new 3.19km section linking the Suin Line and the Gyeongbu High-Speed Line and expanding three existing stations, including Songdo Station, Choji Station, and Eocheon Station. As of September 16, the progress rate stands at about 86 percent; major works such as roadbed, track, and systems were completed by August, and the project is proceeding smoothly toward the goal of opening by the end of the year.
However, the Korea National Railway has stated that if items requiring supplementation emerge during the test runs and safety inspections, it will thoroughly carry out the necessary measures in line with the principle of ‘citizen safety first.’ Accordingly, it is leaving open the possibility that the opening schedule could be adjusted by around one to two months depending on the detailed inspection results. This is understood to reflect an intention to open the line only after confirming safety, rather than prioritizing outcomes.
A train operation plan to support actual commercial service is also expected to be finalized soon. The Korea National Railway and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) plan to review track conditions and existing train schedules to make final arrangements on the number of trains to be deployed, the frequency of operations, and the timetable.
Once the Incheon-origin KTX opens, the wide-area transportation convenience of residents in Incheon and the southwestern Gyeonggi region will improve significantly. Travel from Incheon to Busan will take about 2 hours 30 minutes and to Mokpo about 2 hours 10 minutes, resolving the inconvenience of having to travel to Seoul Station or Gwangmyeong Station to transfer to high-speed rail. For local residents, this is a change that goes beyond shortening travel time to broadening the very radius of daily activity.
Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae said, 「The comprehensive test runs beginning on September 17 are a meaningful process that shows citizens the opening of the Incheon-origin KTX is now within reach,」 adding, 「Through thorough safety inspections and preparations to the very end, we will actively consult with the relevant agencies and do our utmost in preparing for the opening so that citizens can use the KTX safely and conveniently.」
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
<저작권자 ⓒ 코리안투데이(The Korean Today) 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
