GTX Line C
Overview
GTX Line C is a high-speed metropolitan railway line with a total length of approximately 74.2 km, starting from Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, passing through Seoul and Uijeongbu, and connecting to Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province. It is the longest section among the three GTX lines (A, B, and C) and is designed as a key transportation network linking the east-west and north-south axes of the Seoul Capital Area. Full-scale construction began in December 2024, with a target opening in 2028. The maximum design speed is 180 km/h, expected to reduce travel time from Suwon to Dongducheon from 80 minutes to under 30 minutes compared to existing public transportation.
Main Content
Route Overview and Alignment
GTX Line C is divided into three main sections. Section 1 runs from Suwon (Suwon Station) to Yangjae (Yangjae Station), Section 2 from Yangjae to Cheongnyangni (Cheongnyangni Station), and Section 3 from Cheongnyangni to Dongducheon (Dongducheon Station). Key stops include Suwon Station, Sungkyunkwan University Station, Uiwang Station, Gwacheon Station, Yangjae Station, Gangnam Station, Samseong Station, Cheongnyangni Station, Hoegi Station, Uijeongbu Station, Yangju Station, and Dongducheon Station. Notably, it will pass through Gangnam Station and Samseong Station, significantly improving accessibility to downtown Seoul.
Operation Plan and Capacity
GTX Line C will operate with 8-car trainsets at a maximum speed of 180 km/h. The headway is planned at 3 minutes during peak hours and 6 minutes during off-peak hours. The maximum daily passenger capacity is estimated at approximately 500,000, which is expected to greatly alleviate congestion on the existing Seoul Subway Line 1. All stations will be equipped with platform screen doors and heating/cooling systems, and a barrier-free environment will be created for wheelchair and stroller users.
Construction Method and Technology
Most of Line C will be built underground. The Suwon–Yangjae section will be constructed underground along the existing Gyeongbu Line railway, while the Yangjae–Cheongnyangni section will involve tunneling at depths of 40–50 meters beneath the city center. The Cheongnyangni–Dongducheon section will include some above-ground segments, but most will be underground. The shield TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) method will be primarily used, with advanced monitoring technology applied to minimize ground subsidence. Additionally, an LTE-R (railway-dedicated LTE) communication network will be installed across the entire line to ensure real-time train control and passenger safety.
History and Background
GTX Line C was first proposed in the early 2010s to address traffic congestion in the Seoul Capital Area. In 2016, a preliminary feasibility study confirmed economic viability (B/C 1.2), but some sections were scaled back after a review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in 2019. Subsequently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport finalized the plan in 2021 and completed detailed design in 2023. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Suwon Station on December 27, 2024, marking the start of full-scale construction.
Economic and Social Effects
The opening of Line C is expected to save approximately 1.2 trillion won annually in traffic congestion costs. It is also anticipated to contribute to the economic revitalization of southern Gyeonggi (Suwon, Uiwang, Gwacheon) and northern Gyeonggi (Uijeongbu, Yangju, Dongducheon). Improved accessibility to the Gangnam area is expected to boost real estate values and stimulate new housing supply. However, concerns remain about noise, vibration, and traffic disruptions during construction, and compensation measures are being prepared.
Latest Developments
As of January 2025, tunnel construction for Section 1 (Suwon–Yangjae) of GTX Line C has begun in earnest. Preliminary work for the launch of shield TBMs is underway in the Suwon Station and Sungkyunkwan University Station sections, and construction of the transfer passage at Yangjae Station is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025. For Section 2 (Yangjae–Cheongnyangni), relocation of underground utilities near Gangnam Station and Samseong Station is in full swing. For Section 3 (Cheongnyangni–Dongducheon), ground surveys for the Uijeongbu Station and Yangju Station sections have been completed, and design is in its final stages. Meanwhile, in December 2024, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a preliminary feasibility study for GTX Line D (Incheon–Suwon), which is expected to enhance transfer efficiency with Line C. Additionally, a design competition for Line C trainsets was held in January 2025, drawing public interest. To meet the 2028 opening target, day and night construction will be carried out simultaneously, and some sections may open early by the end of 2027.
Related Topics
- [[GTX Line A]]
- [[GTX Line B]]
- [[Seoul Subway Line 1]]
- [[Gangnam Station]]
- [[Suwon Station]]
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