A new high-speed railroad connecting Wonju and Gangeung, two cities located in South Korea’s eastern province of Gangwon, will officially open on Dec.22, which will shorten travel time from Seoul to Gangneung to less than two hours timed for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics that kicks off in February.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Monday that the new Wonju-Gangeung railroad will begin its official operation on Dec. 22 after an opening ceremony to be held on Dec. 21.
The ministry began construction of the new 120.7-kilometer (75 mile) double-track railroad in June 2012 and spent total 3.7 trillion won ($3.4 billion). The construction required many safety tests as the new route goes through 75.9 kilometers of tunnels including the nation’s longest Daegwallyeong Tunnel.
The new railroad began its test run on July 31 after completing safety tests.
The Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) will start to sell tickets for KTX trains for Seoul to Gangeung line on Nov.30.
By Lee Ji-yong and Choi Mira
[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]