Table of Contents
- Closure of Paid History After 25 Years… Busan Sujeong Tunnel Transitioning to Full Free Operation
- Key Road Connecting Dong-gu and Busanjin-gu… High Citizen Satisfaction
- Management System Transition and Traffic Measures After Freeization
- A Model for Enhancing Citizen Transportation Convenience: The Busan Public Road Model
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Closure of Paid History After 25 Years… Busan Sujeong Tunnel Transitioning to Full Free Operation
One of Busan's representative toll roads, the Sujeong Mountain Tunnel, will operate for free from April 19, 2027. The city of Busan announced that as the management period of the private operator ends on April 18, 2027, all vehicle tolls will be eliminated starting the next day.
This decision is based on the management implementation plan established in 2024, and it was formalized when the 'Agreement on the Decision of the Sujeong Mountain Tunnel Private Investment Project Promotion' passed at the city council's plenary session on June 19, 2025. The Sujeong Tunnel, which has operated as a toll road for about 25 years since its opening on April 19, 2002, will disappear into history.
For reference, the Baekyang Tunnel connected to the Sujeong Tunnel has already been operating for free since January 10, 2025. This is regarded as a positive change providing transportation convenience to the citizens of Busan and visitors.
Key Road Connecting Dong-gu and Busanjin-gu… High Citizen Satisfaction
The Sujeong Mountain Tunnel is an important section of the road connecting Jwachun-dong in Dong-gu, Busan, to Gaya-dong in Busanjin-gu. This tunnel is 2,356 meters long and is designed to be 9.9 meters wide. Additionally, it consists of a four-lane, two-tube tunnel, facilitating smooth east-west traffic flow in the Busan metropolitan area.
Currently, the toll for this tunnel is ▲ 500 won for compact cars, ▲ 1,000 won for small cars, and ▲ 1,500 won for large and super-large vehicles. However, there has been ongoing demand for freeization to reduce the economic burden on citizens and increase traffic efficiency over the long term. If this change occurs, it is expected to have a positive impact on the citizens of Busan.
Management System Transition and Traffic Measures After Freeization
The city of Busan has established systematic management measures for safe and efficient operation even after the tunnel is opened for free.
The legal safety management will be handled by the city's Construction Safety Testing Office, while daily maintenance and operation will be transferred to the Busan Facilities Corporation.
Additionally, to resolve congestion issues anticipated due to the expected temporary increase in traffic volume following freeization, the city plans to optimize signal timings at surrounding intersections, improve geometric structures, and conduct on-site investigations to overhaul the entire road system.
A Model for Enhancing Citizen Transportation Convenience: The Busan Public Road Model
The freeization of the Sujeong Tunnel is not just about eliminating tolls; it serves as an important model for transitioning a privately operated toll road to a public entity. The city of Busan plans to secure the justification for freeization through traffic volume estimation and traffic impact analysis via the Busan Research Institute's Public Investment Management Center starting in 2024.
This change can be seen as a policy shift that simultaneously considers publicness, efficiency, and urban development. It aims to reduce the burden of transportation costs on citizens and enhance the function of roads as public infrastructure, with prospects to establish a new model of urban traffic in Busan.
On April 19, 2027, the citizens of Busan will no longer perceive the Sujeong Tunnel as 'a road that requires payment,' but as part of a free and convenient public transportation network. This change will serve as a catalyst for the further advancement of Busan's transportation system.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will the Busan Sujeong Tunnel be operated for free?
The Busan Sujeong Tunnel will operate for free for all vehicles starting April 19, 2027.
The city of Busan officially announced that as the management period of the private operator ends on April 18, 2027, the Sujeong Tunnel will start operating for free the next day, April 19, 2027. This marks a significant turning point for the Sujeong Tunnel, which has been a toll road for about 25 years, and it is expected to greatly contribute to reducing the transportation cost burden on citizens.
Q. What procedures were followed for the decision to freeize the Sujeong Tunnel?
The freeization was officially decided through the management implementation plan in 2024 and the city council's agreement in 2025.
The city of Busan established a management implementation plan regarding freeization in 2024, and freeization was confirmed when the 'Agreement on the Decision of the Sujeong Mountain Tunnel Private Investment Project Promotion' was passed at the city council's plenary session on June 19, 2025. This process was carried out transparently, with consent from both citizens and the administration.
Q. What is the main structure and current toll level of the Sujeong Tunnel?
It is a 2,356m long, four-lane tunnel with a toll of 500 won for compact cars and 1,000 won for small cars.
The Sujeong Mountain Tunnel is a key road designed to connect Jwachun-dong in Dong-gu, Busan to Gaya-dong in Busanjin-gu, with a total length of 2,356m and a width of 9.9m, consisting of a four-lane (two-tube) tunnel. Currently, the toll is 500 won for compact cars, 1,000 won for small cars, and 1,500 won for large and super-large vehicles. Freeization is a measure aimed at relieving the economic burden on citizens and increasing traffic efficiency in the long term.
Q. How will the management of the Sujeong Tunnel be handled after freeization?
The Construction Safety Testing Office will handle legal safety management, while the Busan Facilities Corporation will manage daily operations.
Even after freeization, the city of Busan has transitioned the management system to ensure safe and efficient operations. The Construction Safety Testing Office will be responsible for legal safety management, maintaining city-wide safety standards, while the Busan Facilities Corporation will be in charge of daily maintenance and operations. This approach aims to continuously ensure the stability and service of the tunnel.
Q. How will traffic congestion issues due to freeization be addressed?
Comprehensive traffic measures including optimization of signals at surrounding intersections and road structure improvements will be implemented.
In preparation for a potential increase in traffic volume due to freeization, the city of Busan has established various traffic measures such as optimizing signals at surrounding intersections, improving geometric structures, and conducting on-site investigations. These measures aim to minimize temporary congestion and maintain smooth traffic flow, thereby maximizing convenience for citizens.
Q. What does the freeization of the Sujeong Tunnel signify for Busan's traffic policy?
It is regarded as a model for transitioning a privately-operated toll road to a public road.
The freeization of the Sujeong Tunnel is not just about abolishing tolls but represents a significant policy shift in converting a privately operated toll road into public infrastructure. Through this process, the city of Busan has considered both publicness and efficiency by conducting traffic impact analyses and volume estimations, solidifying its position as a model contributing to the creation of a free and convenient urban traffic environment.
