GANGWON/GYEONGGI – Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces have announced a collaborative agreement to jointly finance the construction of a new road section, including the Nolmijae Tunnel, connecting Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province and Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province.

The cost-sharing agreement was formalized in a signing ceremony held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office on February 14th.

The project, officially named the "National Route 86 Dongmak-Gaeya Road Construction Project," was selected for a preliminary feasibility study in December 2016 as part of the Fourth National Road and National Route Construction Plan. Following the completion of the detailed design, the project underwent a feasibility re-examination by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance in June of last year due to the need for increased funding.

The project encompasses a total length of 2.69 kilometers, which includes the 800-meter-long Nolmijae Tunnel. The section within Gangwon Province spans 1.43 kilometers, while the Gyeonggi Province section covers 1.26 kilometers.

Recognizing the necessity of shared funding for the project, Gangwon Province initiated discussions with Gyeonggi Province, which ultimately led to the recent agreement. According to the terms of the agreement, Gangwon Province will oversee the construction, while both provinces will manage land acquisition and permits within their respective jurisdictions.

The total project cost is estimated at 20.8 billion KRW. The financial burden will be shared between Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces at a ratio of 53% and 47%, respectively. As a result, Gangwon Province will contribute 10.8 billion KRW, while Gyeonggi Province will allocate 10 billion KRW to the project.

Lee Jong-gu, Director of the Construction and Transportation Bureau of Gangwon Province, expressed his enthusiasm for the project's progress. "The Nolmijae Tunnel project, a long-awaited aspiration of the residents of Gangwon Province, including Hongcheon, will commence construction within this year," he stated. "We are committed to expediting the project to ensure that both tourists visiting Gangwon Province and our residents can utilize the road safely and conveniently."

The construction of the Nolmijae Tunnel is expected to significantly improve transportation connectivity between the two provinces, benefiting both residents and visitors alike.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]