Editing Gyeongjeon Line (section)

==History==

An east-west railway along Korea's southern shore was long seen as a strategic route, but it took a number of attempts to complete the line.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> The first section of the line was opened as a branch from the newly built [[Gyeongbu Line]] at Samnangjin to Masan in May 1905, which was named the Masan Line.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> On December 1, 1923,<ref name="lineop">{{cite web |url=http://info.korail.com/2007/kra/ope/ope08000/w_ope08606.jsp |title=경영원칙 > 경영공시 > 영업현황 > 영업거리현황 |publisher=[[Korail]] |access-date=2010-11-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192217/http://info.korail.com/2007/kra/ope/ope08000/w_ope08606.jsp |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> the Jinju Line opened from Masan to Jinju, extending the line to {{convert|110.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> A branch from [[Changwon]] on the '''''Masan Line''''' to [[Jinhae]], the Jinhae Line, opened on November 11, 1926.<ref name="lineop"/>

Meanwhile, construction started in the opposite direction from Songjeong-ri (today Gwangju·Songjeong) on the [[Honam Line]], the other end of the future Gyeongjeon Line, with the first {{convert|14.9|km|mi|abbr=on}} to Gwangju opened in July 1922.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> The {{convert|155.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="5yr-plan"/> Gwangju Line was completed to Yeosu on December 25, 1930.<ref name="land">{{cite web |url=http://www.sunchonnet.com/webbase/cultizen/heritage.asp?page=1&area=2&type=-1&hc=-2&sk=2&sv=&seq=11 |title=여수 율촌역 |publisher=Sunchonnet.com |access-date=2010-12-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716162833/http://www.sunchonnet.com/webbase/cultizen/heritage.asp?page=1&area=2&type=-1&hc=-2&sk=2&sv=&seq=11 |archive-date=2011-07-16 }}</ref> Six years later, on December 16, 1936, the Suncheon–Yeosu section became part of the newly established [[Jeolla Line]],<ref name="lineop"/> leaving the {{convert|134.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} long Songjeong-ri–Suncheon section as the Gwangju Line.<ref name="5yr-plan"/>

Following the 1961 coup, the [[Supreme Council for National Reconstruction]] started South Korea's [[Five-year plans of South Korea#1962–1966|first five-year plan]], which included a construction program to complete the railway network, to foster economic growth.<ref name="5yr-plan">{{cite web |url=http://www.silvernetnews.com/?inc=newsview&no=8229&s=20&ss=0&sss=0 |title=<nowiki>철마 110년, 영고의 자취 [12] 경제개발과 철도</nowiki> |language=Ko |date=2010-03-20 |publisher=Silvernet News |access-date=2010-11-30}}</ref> As part of the program, work began on a line to plug the gap between Jinju and Suncheon on April 28, 1962.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> The difficult {{convert|80.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} long section included 38 bridges with a total length of {{convert|1697|m|ft|abbr=on}} and 27 tunnels with a total length of {{convert|7.67|km|mi|abbr=on}}, as well as 13 new stations.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> The Jinju–Suncheon line opened on February 7, 1968, when the whole {{convert|325.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} railway line from Samnangjin to Songjeong-ri was renamed the Gyeongjeon Line.<ref name="5yr-plan"/> By the mid-2000s, alignment modifications shortened the line length to {{convert|300.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="5yr-plan"/>

===Upgrade===<!-- [[Korea Train Express#Further upgrades of connecting conventional lines]] links here-->

The line is being upgraded to an electrified and double-tracked line for higher speeds in stages, to facilitate regional development.<ref name="irj-future">{{cite web |url=http://www.railjournal.com/altfeature1.shtml |title=Korea's railways face a bright future |date=2008-07-01 |work=[[International Railway Journal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416195911/http://www.railjournal.com/altfeature1.shtml |archive-date=2009-04-16 |access-date=2010-08-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="rgi-korailplans">{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |title=South Korea's growing network |date=2008-09-08 |work=[[Railway Gazette International]] |access-date=2010-08-29 |archive-date=2012-12-05 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205072403/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/south-koreas-growing-network.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 1, 2010, the South Korean government announced a strategic plan to reduce travel times from Seoul to 95% of the country to under 2 hours by 2020. As part of the plan, the entire Gyeongjeon Line was to be further upgraded for 230&nbsp;km/h.<ref name="plans2020">{{cite web |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2925474 |title=Bullet trains coming to a town near you by 2020 |date=2010-09-02 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2010-10-27}}</ref>

====Samnangjin-Masan-Jinju====

The upgraded section is 101.4&nbsp;km long.<ref name="KNRA_2010-1">{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12385 |title=삼랑진~진주 복선전철 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}}</ref> The 41&nbsp;km section until Masan includes a re-alignment with tunnels<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_24_eng.html |title=Design/Construction Package for Double Track Construction of Gyeongjeon Line Samnyangjin - Jinju Lot 3 (Jinyeong - Changwon) |publisher=Sambo Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722135650/http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_24_eng.html |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> closer to Changwon,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201008/h2010081821070121950.htm |title=경전선 KTX 김해 정차해야 |language=Ko |date=2010-08-18 |newspaper=[[Hankook Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-11-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613215911/http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/201008/h2010081821070121950.htm |archive-date=2011-06-13 }}</ref>  the Masan–Jinju section also includes significant re-alignments along the way.<ref name="KNRA_2010-1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=293 |title=Detailed design of Gyeongjeon Line for electrified double track between Masan and Haman (Section 5) |publisher=Chunsuk Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134128/http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=293 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>

The project was implemented as a public-private partnership: the government contribution is 1,680.473 billion won, private capital contributes 338.309 billion won.<ref name="KNRA_2010-1"/> By April 2009, construction progress reached 50.9% of the planned budget of 2,018.782 billion won.<ref name="KNRA_2010-1"/> The Samnangjin-Masan section opened on December 15, 2010,<ref name="KTXTT-15Dec2010"/> the Masan–Jinju section followed on October 23, 2012. The design speed of this section is 200&nbsp;km/h.

====Jinju-Suncheon====

Work started in 2003 on a 56.1&nbsp;km long section between Jinju and Gwangyang.<ref name="KNRA_2010-4">{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12390 |title=진주~광양 복선화 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}}</ref> By March 2010, progress was 19% out of a budget of 1,005.984 billion won.<ref name="KNRA_2010-4"/> This section includes significant re-alignments with longer tunnels and bridges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=294 |title=Basic and detailed design of roadbed for double track between Jinju and Gwangyang (Section 4) |publisher=Chunsuk Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134215/http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=294 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_44_eng.html |title=Detailed Design for Jinju~Gwangyang Double Track Railway, Lot 5 |publisher=Sambo Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412115556/http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_44_eng.html |archive-date=2010-04-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_37_eng.html |title=Basic Design, Construction (Turnkey) for Railbed Construction for Jinju - Gwangyang Section Double Track Construction, Lot 6 |publisher=Sambo Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412115519/http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result02_37_eng.html |archive-date=2010-04-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=305 |title=Construction of double gauge railway between Jinju and Gwangyang at section 6 (T/K) |publisher=Chunsuk Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134302/http://www.cse.co.kr/eng/results/res_D.asp?idx=305 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref> The upgrade works also commenced at the junction with the [[Jeolla Line]] east of Suncheon,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result03_14_eng.html |title=Detailed Design for Dongsuncheon~Gwangyang Double Track Railway |publisher=Sambo Engineering |access-date=2010-10-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412115700/http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result03_14_eng.html |archive-date=2010-04-12 }}</ref> this section opened on September 30, 2015. The first track of the realigned Jinju-Gwangjang section opened on April 29, 2016, followed by the second track on July 14, 2016. Electrification was put in operation on June 23, 2023. The design speed of this section is 150&nbsp;km/h.

====Suncheon-GwangjuSongjeong====

Between [[Hyocheon Station|Hyocheon]] and GwangjuSongjeong, to relieve congestion at road crossings in the city, the Gyeongjeon Line got a new alignment bypassing Gwangju to the south.<ref name="omn-gwangju">{{cite web |url=http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0000059863&PAGE_CD= |title=안전제일 철도에서 위험천만 돌밭길로? |date=2001-11-24 |publisher=[[OhmyNews]] |access-date=2010-12-04}}</ref> The section of the old alignment between GwangjuSongjeong and Gwangju was upgraded as a {{convert|11.9|km|mi|abbr=on}} spur line, again called the Gwangju Line,<ref name="lineop"/> while the {{convert|10.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} section between Hyocheon and Gwangju, including Namgwangju Station, was torn up.<ref name="omn-gwangju"/> The realignments opened on August 10, 2000.<ref name="lineop"/>

The rest of the Suncheon-Gwangju section is foreseen for upgrading in a new 230&nbsp;km/h alignment under the government's 2010 plan for 2020.<ref name="plans2020"/> A decade later, only plans for single-track electrification were drawn up.

====Connected projects====

A new {{convert|44.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} long branch from [[Hallimjeong Station]] was projected to improve freight transport connections to [[Busan]]'s expanded port. The line proper to Busan New Port Station is {{convert|38.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, followed by {{convert|6.0|km|mi|abbr=on}} of port access tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=4782917 |script-title=ko:부산 신항 화물열차 달린다 |language=Ko |date=2010-12-13 |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |access-date=2011-01-02 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120707/http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=4782917 |archive-date=2011-07-13 }}</ref> Part of the alignment became part of the Gyeongjeon Line realignment, shortening the branch and changing the starting point to Jillye. By April 2009, progress was 80.7% out of a total budget of 902.384 billion won.<ref name="KNRA_2010-3">{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12434 |title=부산신항배후철도 건설 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}}</ref> The line was opened on November 30, 2010 and the first freight train travelled the line on December 13, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2929600 |title=Steaming ahead |date=2010-12-14 |language=Ko |newspaper=[[JoongAng Daily]] |access-date=2011-01-02}}</ref> On January 1 and 31, 2013, two single-track non-electrified branches opened: the {{convert|7.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} New Port South Line to Namcheol Songjiang and the {{convert|5.8|km|mi|abbr=on}} New Port North Line to Bukcheolsong.

A new direct connection from [[Busan]] will meet up with the realigned Gyeongjeon Line southwest of Jillye, with a connection to the Busan New Port Line at Jangyu Station. The 32.6&nbsp;km long double-track cutoff had a budget of 1,396.15 billion won, and was implemented with private finance, the preferred bidder for the franchise was selected in July 2010.<ref name="KNRA_2010-2">{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12407 |title=부전~마산 복선전철 민간투자시설사업 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}}</ref> This line was foreseen for an upgrade to 230&nbsp;km/h under the government's 2010 plan for 2020.<ref name="plans2020"/> Construction started in 2014, after design changes and construction problems, opening is scheduled for the first half of 2025.

From Boseong, a new cutoff branch is to connect with the Honam Line at Imseong-ri, just before Mokpo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result03_21_eng.html|title=Detailed {{sic|nolink=y|Desgin}} for Jangheung~Haenam(Lot 4) in Boseong~Imseongri railway construction project|access-date=2010-10-19|archive-date=2010-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412115735/http://www.samboeng.co.kr/result/result03_21_eng.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Construction of the 79.5&nbsp;km long aingle-track branch commenced in 2002,<ref name="KNRA_2010-6">{{cite web |url=http://www.krnetwork.or.kr/service/condition/RouteMapView.do?PA_MAP_ID=12386 |title=보성~임성리 철도건설 |publisher=Korea Rail Network Authority |access-date=2010-10-24}}</ref> however, work was suspended in 2007 for lack of funds,<ref name="rgi-korailplans"/> after having progressed to 5.5% of the 1,297.924 billion won budget.<ref name="KNRA_2010-6"/> Construction resumed in 2015, plans were upgraded with the addition of electrification and a top speed of 200&nbsp;km/h in 2019, with opening scheduled for December 2024. This branch includes the 5,960 m long Jangdong Tunnel<ref name="tunnelfire">{{cite web |url=http://www.donga.com/fbin/output?n=200506140091 |title=철도터널 불 나면...탈출시간 최대70분 '죽음의 블랙홀' |date=2005-06-14 |newspaper=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |access-date=2010-10-25}}</ref> northeast of [[Jangheung]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yooshin.co.kr/pdf/10_10.pdf |title=개선된 설계 VE 활동을통한 최적 노선선정 |language=Ko |publisher=Yooshin Engineering Corporation |access-date=2010-11-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722135901/http://www.yooshin.co.kr/pdf/10_10.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}</ref>