Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do – The long-awaited Seobunyeok Expressway, connecting Buyeo in Chungcheongnam-do and Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi-do, officially opened to the public on December 10th. The 94-kilometer stretch, which has been under construction for five years at a cost of 3.2688 trillion won, is expected to significantly improve transportation between the two regions.

The new expressway features four interchanges and eight exits, connecting with major highways such as the Dangjin-Cheonan Expressway and providing easier access to Seoul and other parts of the Gyeonggi region. With the completion of the Seobunyeok Expressway, traffic congestion on the existing expressways, including the Gyeongbu and Seohaean Expressways, is expected to alleviate.

“The opening of the Seobunyeok Expressway marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between Chungcheong and Gyeonggi provinces,” said Kim Ki-young, Deputy Governor of Chungcheongnam-do. “This new transportation infrastructure will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development in the region.”

Future plans include the construction of a 43.4-kilometer extension from Buyeo to Iksan, which is expected to be completed by 2034. Once fully completed, the Seobunyeok Expressway will provide a faster and more convenient route connecting the Honam region with the rest of the country.

The Seobunyeok Expressway project was initiated as part of the Chungcheong region’s broader transportation network development plan. After undergoing feasibility studies and being designated as an exempted project, construction began in 2019.