Table of Contents
- August 2025, Construction of Sinwol Station Finally Begins
- Construction Progress and Key Milestones
- What is the Overall Distance and Opening Schedule of the Bujeon-Masan Double Track Railway?
- The Core Issue is ‘Nakdong Tunnel No. 1’, What is the Current Situation?
- The Possibility of Realizing the ‘Partial Opening’ is High
- Conclusion: The Start of Construction for Sinwol Station is a Beacon of Hope, but Full Opening is a Task at Hand
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
August 2025, Construction of Sinwol Station Finally Begins
The Sinwol Station to be newly constructed in Sanbon-ri, Jinrae-myeon, Gimhae-si will begin full-scale construction from August. This station has been promoted as an additional station for the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway at the request of Gimhae-si, and the total project cost amounts to 44.6 billion won.
This project is one of the private investment projects (BTL) started by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2014, and is being implemented by the Korea National Railway Corporation and Smart Rail Co., Ltd. Sinwol Station is expected to play an important intermediate hub role in the 51.1km Gyeongjeon Line double-track railway connecting Bujeon Station in Busan and Masan Station.
As a result, Sinwol Station is expected to serve a crucial role in the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway, providing better transportation convenience for local residents and users.
Construction Progress and Key Milestones
The establishment of Sinwol Station has completed various complicated permit procedures sequentially since the completion of the roadbed and underground passage in 2020. This process included changes to the management plan for development restricted areas, traffic impact assessments, and permitting.
In August 2024, the final design documents reflecting price increases and design changes were submitted to the Korea National Railway Corporation, and the bidding process for construction and ancillary civil engineering projects is expected to begin in April 2025. Currently, it is at the stage of selecting priority negotiation partners and contract review.
The total construction period is expected to be about 23 months, with projections suggesting possible completion in the first half of 2027 at the earliest. Gimhae-si is committed to swiftly completing the project without further delays in opening.
What is the Overall Distance and Opening Schedule of the Bujeon-Masan Double Track Railway?
The Bujeon-Masan double-track railway is a 51.1km route that includes a 32.7km section from Bujeon Station to Sinwol Station. During this project, several intermediate stations will be installed, including Sasang, Gangseo Geumho, Busan Horse Racing Park, Jangyu, Sinwol, Changwon Central, Changwon, and Masan. This line is an important metropolitan railway route connecting the Busan area with Changwon and Masan in Western Gyeongsangnam-do, and the operation of ITX express trains is also planned.
However, the project, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2020, is experiencing significant delays due to the collapse of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1. Additional geotechnical investigations and technical consultations to ensure the stability of the tunnel, along with the installation of evacuation passages, are necessary, making a rescheduling of the entire opening unavoidable.
The Core Issue is ‘Nakdong Tunnel No. 1’, What is the Current Situation?
'Nakdong Tunnel No. 1' is a tunnel connecting Gimhae and Gangseo District in Busan, which has experienced serious safety issues due to the lack of properly installed evacuation passages or incidents of tunnel collapse. Currently, a safety verification service is underway and various measures are being established, including ▲ re-investigation of ground safety ▲ formation of a panel of experts ▲ restoration work and design changes.
In this regard, legal disputes between the government and the private contractor have also arisen. Lawsuits related to cost increases and cancellations of penalties for poor construction are ongoing, leaving the timeline for the full opening of the tunnel uncertain.
The Possibility of Realizing the ‘Partial Opening’ is High
Amid ongoing tunnel issues, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea National Railway Corporation are cautiously reviewing the "priority opening of the Gangseo Geumho-Masan section." Meetings with related institutions and the formation of negotiation teams and technical consultations have been actively taking place since May 2025.
Currently, the overall progress rate of the entire route has reached 99.3%, and the remaining areas excluding the tunnel have completed the comprehensive interoperability tests and control interoperability tests. Therefore, the partial opening excluding the tunnel section has become technically feasible. The priority opening is practically viewed as a definitive alternative to minimize inconvenience for citizens. It is hoped that these measures will be implemented quickly so that many can benefit.
Conclusion: The Start of Construction for Sinwol Station is a Beacon of Hope, but Full Opening is a Task at Hand
The start of construction for Sinwol Station can be seen as an important signal that the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway project is underway. This will be a significant infrastructure expansion that enhances Gimhae-si's role as a transportation hub.
However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. Resolving the safety issues of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 and dealing with legal disputes are among them.
In the current situation, operating progressively through partial openings seems to be the most realistic solution. Close cooperation between the government, the contractor, and local governments is essential for a swift full opening.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When and where will the construction of Sinwol Station begin?
Sinwol Station is located in Sanbon-ri, Jinrae-myeon, Gimhae-si, and will start full construction in August 2025.
Sinwol Station is an additional station being newly established along the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway. It is a project promoted at the request of Gimhae-si, and its location is in Sanbon-ri, Jinrae-myeon. Construction is expected to commence in August 2025 and take approximately 23 months, targeting completion in the first half of 2027. This is anticipated to play a significant role in expanding the transportation infrastructure of Gimhae-si.
Q. What is the overall distance and opening schedule of the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway line?
The Bujeon-Masan double-track railway includes several intermediate stations over a total length of 51.1km, originally scheduled for completion in 2020, but it is currently delayed.
This line extends 51.1km from Bujeon Station in Busan to Masan Station, including various stations such as Sasang, Gangseo Geumho, Busan Horse Racing Park, Jangyu, Sinwol, Changwon Central, Changwon, and Masan. ITX express trains are also planned to operate on this line, which will play an important role as a regional metropolitan railway. However, due to the collapse of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1, the overall opening schedule is being adjusted, and the possibility of partial openings is increasing.
Q. What are the safety issues related to Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 and the current situation?
Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 is under safety verification and restoration work due to a collapse, and there are legal disputes as well, making the opening schedule uncertain.
Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 connects Gimhae and Gangseo District in Busan. There have been issues with tunnel collapse and the absence of evacuation passages. Currently, ground re-investigations, the formation of an expert advisory group, and restoration and design change works are ongoing. Additionally, there are legal disputes between the government and the private contractor regarding cost increases and penalties for poor work. Due to these issues, the timeline for the full opening of the tunnel has not been determined.
Q. What is the possibility of partial opening for the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway?
The partial opening is practically confirmed due to the completion of tests in sections excluding the tunnel, and it is being reviewed in earnest starting from 2025.
Currently, the progress rate for the sections excluding the tunnel has reached 99.3%, and comprehensive interoperability testing and control interoperability tests have been completed, making partial opening technically feasible. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea National Railway Corporation are considering the priority opening of the Gangseo Geumho-Masan section, with discussions and technical consultations underway since May 2025. Rapid partial opening is being pursued for the convenience of citizens.
Q. What are the prospects and challenges of the construction of Sinwol Station and the Bujeon-Masan double-track railway project?
The start of construction for Sinwol Station is a positive signal, but resolving safety issues of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 and legal disputes remain as challenges.
The start of construction for Sinwol Station is an important opportunity for the extension of railway infrastructure in Gimhae-si and strengthening its role as a transportation hub. However, safety issues related to the collapse of Nakdong Tunnel No. 1 and associated legal disputes must be addressed before the full opening can occur. In the current situation, progressive operation through partial openings appears to be the realistic approach, and close collaboration between the government, contractor, and local governments is expected to serve as a key element in pushing the full opening forward.
