Table of Contents
- 20 Year Wish of ‘Samdong to KTX Ulsan Station Connection Road’ Delayed Again
- What Are the Main Reasons for the Construction Delay?
- 1,214 Billion Won in Pure Local Funds... Financial Burden is a Variable
- What Are the Expected Effects?
- Realistic Goal is ‘Opening After the End of 2029’
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
20 Year Wish of ‘Samdong to KTX Ulsan Station Connection Road’ Delayed Again
A new road connecting Samdong-myeon, Uljin-gun, Ulsan City to KTX Ulsan Station is expected to be constructed with a length of 3.3km and a four-lane carriageway. However, this road is now expected to be completed by the end of 2029, three years later than originally planned.
This project is a long-awaited transportation infrastructure for residents of southern Uljin and is expected to play an important role in alleviating their transportation inconveniences. The residents are paying significant attention to this project as it is something they have hoped for over the past 20 years.
Nevertheless, Ulsan City announced it will postpone the initial completion target of 2026 to December 31, 2029, citing reasons such as the proportion of tunnel construction, land compensation issues, and changes in the working environment. Consequently, the project to establish a road connecting Samdong and KTX Ulsan Station appears set to undergo another long journey.
More information about the development plans around KTX Ulsan Station can be found in the post below.
What Are the Main Reasons for the Construction Delay?
Two-thirds of the Route is Tunnel... Complicated Construction Inevitable
Out of the total length of 3,300m, the tunnel section stretches to 1,990m, which accounts for more than 60% of the entire route. This project consists of three tunnels: Samdong Tunnel 1 (1,270m), Tunnel 2 (135m), and Tunnel 3 (585m).
The tunnel construction requires very complex processes such as excavation and disaster prevention facility installation. Therefore, it requires considerably more time and specialized skills compared to regular road construction. Due to these characteristics, the project has to be conducted with increased caution.
Changes in Regulations and Work Standards Also Contribute
Since the project was first planned in 2019, various legal standards have been significantly strengthened. For example, the introduction of the 52-hour workweek and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act has restricted night and overtime work while increasing the number of safety management personnel. These changes have created realistic constraints on the construction schedule, leading to an increase in the construction period.
Land Compensation... Not Likely to Go Smoothly
Ulsan City plans to begin land compensation for the road construction in 2025, affecting 137 parcels of land, totaling 740,000 square meters. Of this, the actual area to be incorporated is about 106,000 square meters, with private land ownership making up 63% of the total, which is a major issue.
This means that the appraisal and negotiation processes are likely to take a long time, which could hinder the construction schedule. Such a situation will likely act as a significant variable going forward.
1,214 Billion Won in Pure Local Funds... Financial Burden is a Variable
This project is a local government project, with Ulsan City and Uljin-gun each covering 50%, leading to a total budget of 1,214 billion won.
Due to the recent rise in construction material prices, there is a growing possibility of requiring additional budget.
Particularly, the pace of construction may be influenced by the local financial situation, making stable budget allocation a crucial factor.
What Are the Expected Effects?
Once this road is completed, a direct road network connecting Samdong, Eonyang, and Cheongnyang will be established, greatly improving accessibility to KTX Ulsan Station. In particular, residents from southern Uljin regions such as Seosaeng, Onsan, Onyang, and Ungchon will be able to avoid congestion at Sinbok Rotary and National Route 24, leading to an expected travel time reduction of about 10 to 15 minutes.
Moreover, as the regions of Samdong, Cheongnyang, and Eonyang are integrated into a single living area, regional balanced development is anticipated. This will expand the infrastructure around the station and enhance logistics accessibility to industrial complexes, which will positively impact the local community.
Checkpoints for Key Upcoming Schedules
By August 2025, the final design should be announced. Additionally, achieving a compensation negotiation rate of over 50% within the year is crucial.
Plans for securing funds in light of any budget increases must also be established, increasing the likelihood of successfully commencing construction in the second half of 2026.
Realistic Goal is ‘Opening After the End of 2029’
Currently, the road connecting Samdong and KTX Ulsan Station is in the final design stage, and land compensation has begun.
Although the schedule has been delayed, it is significant that this project is actually progressing after many years of waiting.
Originally scheduled to open in 2026, now the end of 2029 appears to be the most realistic target.
The remaining tasks are to expedite the design announcement and compensation negotiations.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When is the road connecting Samdong-myeon and KTX Ulsan Station expected to be completed?
The Samdong-KTX Ulsan Station connection road aims for completion by the end of December 2029.
This road was originally scheduled for completion in 2026, but the completion date has been postponed to the end of 2029 due to an increase in the proportion of tunnel construction, delays in land compensation, changes in laws and work environments, and other reasons. Out of the total length of 3.3km, more than 60% is expected to be a tunnel section, resulting in a longer construction period due to its complexity. Currently, the design is in the final stages, and the land compensation process is ongoing.
Q. What are the main reasons for the delay in road construction?
The main causes of construction delays are the proportion of tunnel construction, enhanced legal work standards, and delays in land compensation.
Out of the total length of 3,300m, 1,990m is tunnel section, making it complicated and requiring much time for construction. Furthermore, strengthened regulations such as the introduced 52-hour workweek and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act after 2019 limit nighttime and overtime work, delaying the construction schedule. Land compensation also involves 63% private land, making appraisals and the negotiation process lengthy, which could further delay the start date.
Q. What are the expected effects once the road construction is completed?
Accessibility to KTX Ulsan Station will greatly improve, connecting Samdong, Eonyang, and Cheongnyang, leading to balanced regional development.
The completion of this road will allow residents of the southern Uljin region to avoid traffic congestion at Sinbok Rotary and National Route 24, reducing travel time by an estimated 10 to 15 minutes. It will unify the Samdong, Cheongnyang, and Eonyang areas into a single living zone, positively impacting regional development and improving residents' convenience through expanded station area infrastructure and enhanced logistics accessibility to industrial complexes.
Q. What are the remaining schedules and tasks until construction starts and finishes?
Completion of the detailed design announcement by August 2025 and achieving over 50% in compensation negotiations are key schedules.
The detailed design must be announced by August 2025, and it is important to achieve a compensation negotiation rate above 50% within the year. Additionally, it is essential to prepare strategies for securing funds in light of any potential budget increases. To successfully execute the construction plan starting in the second half of 2026, the design announcement and land compensation must progress swiftly, and stable budget allocation to respond to local financial situations and fluctuations in construction material prices is crucial.
Q. What is the total project cost and financial burden?
The total project cost is 1,214 billion won, with Ulsan City and Uljin-gun each covering 50% as a local government project.
This road construction project is funded entirely by local government resources, with a total budget reaching 1,214 billion won. The recent rise in construction material prices could lead to a need for additional budget, increasing the financial burden on local government. Consequently, the speed of construction progress may be affected, making stable fund acquisition a crucial variable.