Table of Contents
- Overview of the Busan North Port Underground Highway Opening Schedule
- Priority Opening of the Busan Port North Port Bypass Road Underground Highway
- When Will the Construction of the Upper Road at Dock Road Be Completed?
- Implications of North Port Redevelopment and Changes in Traffic Environment
- Opening of Busan North Port Underground Highway, Remaining Tasks and Expectations
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Overview of the Busan North Port Underground Highway Opening Schedule
The Busan North Port underground highway, connecting the original downtown of Busan and the port hinterland, has finally begun preparations for its opening.
Due to long delays in construction, the Busan North Port Redevelopment Bypass Road project, which has caused considerable inconvenience to citizens, is scheduled to have the underground highway open first by the end of March 2026. The upper road is planned to be fully opened by the end of May.
Recently, I wrote about the extension of the North Port Underground Highway construction period, and I am glad that the preliminary opening will take place at the end of March. This opening is recognized as a key infrastructure that will significantly impact traffic flow around Busan Station and Chungjangro.
Priority Opening of the Busan Port North Port Bypass Road Underground Highway
According to the Busan Port Construction Office of the Busan Maritime Affairs Bureau, the North Port Bypass Road underground highway is designed to be 1.86 km long with 4 lanes in each direction. Before all construction is completed, there are plans to open the section of the underground highway that citizens can experience first by the end of March 2026, in order to alleviate traffic congestion in advance.
In anticipation of the opening, a joint safety inspection involving relevant agencies such as the Busan City, Busan Facilities Corporation, and Construction Safety Test Office will be conducted. This inspection will check the stability of the structure, drainage system, fire safety measures, and overall safety facilities, and any identified issues will be addressed before the opening at the end of March. This procedure is an important step to fundamentally resolve the safety issues and seawater inflow that were the main causes of delays.
When Will the Construction of the Upper Road at Dock Road Be Completed?
The upper road section of Chungjangro, referred to as 'Dock Road' by Busan citizens, is planned to be 1.94 km long with 6 to 10 lanes. This road is located above the underground highway and currently has contaminated soil treatment and finishing work remaining. The Busan Maritime Affairs Bureau plans to complete this upper road by the end of May 2026, so it can open fully together with the underground highway.
With this schedule confirmed, a clear answer is presented to the long-standing question from local residents of "When will the construction of the Busan North Port Underground Highway be finished?" Originally, the completion was scheduled for the second half of 2023, but it has been delayed several times due to design changes and environmental issues. Therefore, this schedule is understood as the final roadmap.
Seven years for less than 2 km of underground highway construction!!
Implications of North Port Redevelopment and Changes in Traffic Environment
The opening of the North Port underground highway in Busan goes beyond simply building a road. It is closely related to the activation of the first phase of the Busan North Port redevelopment project. Once the underground highway is completed, urban vehicles will utilize less above-ground space, significantly improving accessibility to the North Port waterfront park and redevelopment sites.
By particularly resolving the traffic congestion issues in the area around Busan Station and Chungjangro, it is expected that the travel time between the old downtown, the port, and the North Port redevelopment area will be reduced. This change is anticipated to facilitate logistics and tourism pathways. This transformation is regarded as an essential infrastructure for activating commercial, business, and residential functions in the North Port area in the future.
Opening of Busan North Port Underground Highway, Remaining Tasks and Expectations
The recently opened North Port underground highway holds significant meaning in alleviating citizens' transportation inconveniences. However, the effects of improved traffic flow are expected to become even more apparent after the upper road is fully opened at the end of May. The Busan City government plans to closely analyze traffic conditions during peak hours and improve signal and guidance systems accordingly.
After a long delay, the opening of the North Port underground highway has become an important milestone for the North Port redevelopment. Public attention is focused on how the traffic structure in Busan's old downtown will change in spring 2026. It is hoped that this change will have a positive impact on Busan's traffic environment.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When will the Busan North Port Underground Highway open?
The Busan North Port Underground Highway is scheduled for preliminary opening at the end of March 2026.
The Busan North Port Underground Highway, part of the Busan Port North Port Redevelopment project, is set to open first at the end of March 2026. This action opens the section of the highway prepared for citizens to reduce traffic congestion before the complete construction is finished. The upper road is planned for full opening later in May.
Q. How is the extension of the Busan North Port Underground Highway construction and safety inspections conducted?
Joint safety inspections are conducted to resolve causes of construction delays and ensure safety.
The construction has been delayed due to seawater inflow and safety issues within the underground highway. In response, a joint safety inspection involving Busan City, Busan Facilities Corporation, and the Construction Safety Test Office will assess structural integrity, drainage systems, fire safety measures, and overall security features. Problems identified will be rectified before the opening at the end of March to ensure safe operation.
Q. When will the construction of the upper road along the Busan North Port Dock be completed?
The upper road along Dock Road is scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2026.
The upper road along Dock Road, located in the Chungjangro section, is currently in development with a total length of 1.94 km and 6 to 10 lanes. It is also awaiting completion of contaminated soil treatment and finishing works. The Busan Maritime Affairs Bureau plans to open this upper road fully by the end of May 2026, along with the underground highway, playing a key role in improving traffic flow.
Q. What does the opening of the Busan North Port Underground Highway mean for Busan?
It is essential infrastructure for alleviating traffic congestion and revitalizing North Port redevelopment.
The opening of the North Port underground highway will result in less above-ground space usage by urban vehicles, significantly improving access to the North Port waterfront park and redevelopment areas. It will aid in alleviating congestion in the area around Busan Station and Chungjangro, shortening travel times between the old downtown, the port, and the redevelopment sites. This will streamline logistical and tourist pathways and play a crucial role in activating commercial, business, and residential functions in the North Port area.
Q. What are the expected traffic changes and future outlooks after the opening of the Busan North Port Underground Highway?
Traffic improvements are expected to become clearer after the complete opening of the upper road in May.
Although immediate traffic inconveniences have been alleviated with the opening of the underground highway, more obvious improvements are expected after the upper road opens fully at the end of May. The Busan city government plans to closely monitor traffic conditions during peak hours and enhance signal and guidance systems to support smooth traffic flow. This has increased public anticipation for changes in the traffic structure in Busan's old downtown.
