Table of Contents
- North Port Underground Road Opening Again Postponed Due to Contaminated Soil Detection
- Busan City Announcement Specifies Extension of Project Period
- Concerns About Long-term Traffic Inconvenience
- Delays Continuing for Six Years, When Will Completion Be?
- A Road Waited for by Citizens, Hope It Doesn't Delay Any Further
- Busan Metropolitan City Announcement No. 2025-3064
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
North Port Underground Road Opening Again Postponed Due to Contaminated Soil Detection
The opening of the underground road on Chungjang-daero, a significant infrastructure in the Busan North Port redevelopment, is expected to be postponed once again. It was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2025, but contaminated soil exceeding standards was discovered during the construction process, prompting purification work to begin. This has resulted in delays in the construction schedule.
The Busan Port Construction Office recently discovered a petroleum total hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration exceeding nine times the standard while excavating the lower drainage pipe at North Port Sky Square. This substance is known to be carcinogenic to humans, and therefore, a comprehensive investigation and large-scale purification work will likely be required.
Busan City Announcement Specifies Extension of Project Period
Recently, Busan City announced through 「Busan Metropolitan City Announcement No. 2025-3064」 that there has been a decision regarding the road area and an extension of the project period.
According to this announcement, the implementation period for the "Busan North Port Redevelopment Project Access Road (Underground Road) Construction" has been adjusted from October 25, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Based on this adjustment, the formal opening is predicted to take place in the second half of 2026.
This extension has been interpreted as a result of unexpected variables such as changes to the structure construction method of the underground road under the Yeongju Elevated Road and the purification work. The project implementer is the Busan District Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, and the construction section extends 1.94 km from Jung-gu, Central-dong 90-6 to Dong-gu, Choryang-dong 45-38 (with an underground road length of 1.86 km).
Concerns About Long-term Traffic Inconvenience
This delay is likely to prolong traffic congestion around Chungjang-daero and the stagnation of businesses in the North Port area. In particular, the flow of vehicles continues to be blocked in sections connecting Busan Station, North Port Waterfront Park, and Yeongju Tunnel, increasing the inconvenience for citizens.
Personally, if the purification work for the underground road continues to be delayed, I believe that it would be necessary to consider partial completion or temporary opening of the upper road. I don't even know how many times it has been postponed. Urgent and practical measures are needed to reduce citizens' mobility inconvenience.
Delays Continuing for Six Years, When Will Completion Be?
The North Port underground road is a large-scale public project that started in October 2019, costing a total of 271 billion won. This project establishes an important transportation network connecting the North Port redevelopment area and the city center of Busan, providing connectivity that encompasses Chungjang-daero, Yi Sun-sin-daero, Yeongju Tunnel, and Yeongdo District.
Contaminated soil was first discovered in 2021, and construction has been delayed for over two years due to design changes to the Yeongja Tunnel and issues with seawater inflow in the underground section. Earlier this year, there was hope for an "opening by the end of October," but recent discoveries of additional contaminated soil have led to postponements being expected until at least the second half of 2026. This is likely to have a significant impact on local residents and related industries.
A Road Waited for by Citizens, Hope It Doesn't Delay Any Further
The North Port underground road is not just a road, but an important infrastructure that contributes to improving the traffic system in downtown Busan and activating the first phase of the North Port redevelopment. While the ongoing purification work for contaminated soil is an essential measure for safety and environmental protection, it requires citizens to endure yet another long wait.
The City of Busan and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office must complete the thorough investigations and purification work promptly and establish a normal opening schedule as soon as possible. Citizens have already endured inconveniences for six years due to the construction. It's now time to achieve both safe completion and a quick opening.
Busan Metropolitan City Announcement No. 2025-3064
Announcement on Hearing Opinions of Residents Regarding Road Area Decision (Change)
○ Regarding the "Busan North Port Redevelopment Project Access Road (Underground Road) Construction" in the area from Jung-gu Central-dong to Dong-gu Choryang-dong, opinions from residents and related experts regarding the road area decision (change) are requested according to Articles 25 and 26 of the Road Act and Articles 24 and 25 of its Enforcement Decree. If you have any opinions, please submit them during the review period.
October 1, 2025
Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City
1. Road Area Decision Record (No Change)
| Type | Route Number | Location | Area (㎡) | Section | Total Length (km) | Remarks | |
| Starting Point | Ending Point | ||||||
| Metropolitan City Road | 71 | From Jung-gu Central-dong to Dong-gu Choryang-dong | 120,998.5 | From Jung-gu Central-dong 90-6 | To Dong-gu Choryang-dong 45-38 | 1.94 | Chungjang-daero (Underground Road 1.86km) |
2. Reason for Road Area Decision (Change)
◦ Extension of the project duration due to changes in the construction method of the underground structure under the Yeongju Elevated Road, etc.
3. Extension of the project implementation period for the road construction
◦ Original: From the date of public notice to October 25, 2025.
◦ Change: From the date of public notice to June 30, 2026.
4. Project Implementer for the Road Construction
◦ Busan District Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office (Busan Port Construction Office)
5. Content of the Urban Management Plan (Facility: Road) Decision (No Change)
◦ Urban Management Plan (Road) Decision Record
| Classification | Scale | Function | Length (m) (In Project Area) | Starting Point | Ending Point | Usage Type | Major Passage | Initial Decision Date | Remarks | |||
| Grade | Type | Number | Width (m) | |||||||||
| Initial | Metropolitan Road | 2 | 1 | 50~60 | Main Line Road | 15,640 (1,940) | From Jungang-dong 89-16 | To Guseo-dong 420-1 | General Road | Busan Port | Ministry of Construction Public Notice No. 555 (December 31, 1972) | |
| Initial | Secondary Road | 1 | 475 | 20 | Special Road | 1,858 | From Jungang-dong 15-7 | To Choryang-dong 1172 | Underground Road | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Public Notice No. 2008-613 (October 31, 2008) | -Duplicate decision (underground) road (Metropolitan Road 2-1): 44,859㎡ | |
6. Review (Inspection) Location and Time
| Inspection Location | Inspection Period |
| Busan Port Construction Office Port Maintenance Division (051-609-6773) Busan City Hall Road Planning Division (051-888-2711) Dong-gu Construction Division (051-440-4652) Jung-gu Construction Division (051-600-4735) | October 1, 2025 ~ October 15, 2025. |
7. Submission Period and Method of Opinions
◦ Submission Period: October 1, 2025 ~ October 15, 2025
◦ Submission Method: Submit opinions in accordance with the form provided at the inspection location
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the reason for the delay in the opening of the North Port underground road?
It is due to the discovery of contaminated soil exceeding the standard, necessitating purification work.
The main reason for the reopening delay of the North Port underground road is that the Busan Port Construction Office discovered contaminated soil exceeding nine times the standard level during the excavation of the lower drainage pipe. This substance is carcinogenic to humans, necessitating a detailed investigation and large-scale purification effort. These environmental safety measures have caused delays in the construction schedule, resulting in a postponed opening.
Q. What is the new expected completion date for the extended North Port underground road project?
The project period has been extended to June 30, 2026, with the opening expected in the second half of 2026.
Busan Metropolitan City announced through Public Announcement No. 2025-3064 that the project period for the construction of the North Port underground road has been extended from the original date of October 25, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Based on this, experts predict that the formal opening will occur in the second half of 2026. This extension is interpreted as a result of unexpected variables, including contaminated soil purification work and changes to the structure construction method of the underground road under the Yeongju Elevated Road.
Q. How is the citizens’ traffic inconvenience being affected by the contaminated soil purification work?
Traffic congestion and the decline of local businesses are prolonging citizens’ inconveniences.
Due to the delay in the underground road opening, traffic congestion in the North Port area, including the surroundings of Chungjang-daero, is ongoing. The flow of vehicles is being blocked on major routes connecting Busan Station, North Port Waterfront Park, and Yeongju Tunnel, raising concerns about the inconvenience of citizen mobility and the stagnation of local businesses. Some citizens have suggested that if the contaminated soil purification work continues to be delayed, measures should be taken to temporarily open the upper road to alleviate traffic discomfort.
Q. What is the importance and scale of the North Port underground road project?
Valued at 271 billion won, it serves as a key infrastructure connecting the North Port and the city center of Busan.
The North Port underground road project is a large-scale public project that began in October 2019, requiring an investment of approximately 271 billion won. This road network connects the North Port redevelopment area to downtown Busan, playing a vital role in providing connectivity that encompasses Chungjang-daero, Yi Sun-sin-daero, Yeongju Tunnel, and Yeongdo District. This project is expected to significantly contribute to improving the traffic system in downtown Busan and activating the first phase of the North Port redevelopment.
Q. What actions are the Busan City and related agencies taking regarding the opening delay?
They are rapidly conducting detailed investigations and purification work while extending the project period.
Busan City has announced through Public Announcement No. 2025-3064 that the project period has been extended until next June, and the procedures for road area decision and changes are ongoing. The Busan District Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office is conducting detailed investigations to resolve delay factors, such as soil purification work and changes in construction methods. Additionally, they are listening to various opinions about the project through resident feedback requests, striving to ensure a safe and environmentally friendly completion of the construction.
