Yongin Road Upgrade Clears Feasibility Review, 219 Billion Won Project

YONGIN — Yongin said on the 27th that an upgrade project for the Wonsam-Mapyeong section of National Local Road No. 57 has cleared a preliminary feasibility review by the Ministry of Planning and Budget.

The ministry reviewed and approved the project at the sixth meeting of its fiscal project evaluation committee the previous day, according to the city. The upgrade is expected to be included in the sixth five-year plan for national highway and national local road construction. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to finalize and announce the related construction plan after October.

The project covers a roughly 12.3-kilometer stretch running from the three-way junction near Yongin Arts and Science University in Mapyeong-dong, Cheoin-gu, to the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster general industrial complex in Wonsam-myeon. The core aim is to reduce chronic congestion and raise travel speeds by improving road alignment and traffic facilities. Total project cost has been set at 221.9 billion won.

The plan also includes a new tunnel at Gopdeung Pass, long considered a priority for the area. The pass has steep grades and narrow lanes, and drivers have repeatedly raised concerns about inconvenience and accident risk. The city plans to build a tunnel along a 2.88-kilometer stretch to smooth out the winding road and improve safety.

Pedestrian facilities will also be upgraded. The city plans to install new walkways and add left-turn lanes so that vehicles entering nearby villages can turn safely. It expects the work to improve both traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

Mayor Lee Sang-il has pursued the National Local Road No. 57 upgrade as a campaign pledge since taking office. The route is a main road linking central Yongin with the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster in Wonsam-myeon, where SK hynix is pursuing large-scale investment. The city views it as essential infrastructure for the stable operation of the semiconductor complex and for easing traffic problems for residents.

In January, the mayor met Land Minister Kim Yun-duk and asked that new construction and expansion work on four routes under preliminary feasibility review be reflected in the sixth national highway and national local road construction plan. The city said the approval is the result of more than three years of talks with central government agencies.

"National Local Road No. 57 is a key transport axis linking central Yongin with the Wonsam semiconductor cluster," the mayor said. "Through the Gopdeung Pass tunnel, walkways and left-turn lanes, we will improve mobility for residents and road safety."

"Bidding is also under way for the expansion of National Highway No. 45, and efforts to expand the road network supporting semiconductor projects are gaining speed," he added. "We will work with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other agencies to ensure the project proceeds without setbacks."

Separately, the committee on the same day also approved a preliminary feasibility review for the expansion of National Local Road No. 23 between Daedeok in Anseong and Namsa in Yongin. That project covers the stretch from Daedeok-myeon in Anseong to the Jinmok intersection in Namsa-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin.