Ulsan to proceed with Tram Line 1 after finding no legal way to halt it
In short
Ulsan city said on 22 October it will carry on building Urban Rail Tram Line 1 under the law and the contract, after finding no lawful way to stop the project. It announced a traffic plan of 20 tasks in five areas to limit disruption during construction.
Read the full story 2 min read
Ulsan city decided on 22 October to continue building Urban Rail Tram Line 1 under the law and the contract. The city had reviewed whether the project could be stopped and said it found no lawful way to do so. It said it would now concentrate on reducing inconvenience to residents during construction. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kim Chang-hyun (김창현), head of the city's transport bureau, announced the review result at the city hall press centre, together with a plan titled the traffic comprehensive measures for minimising inconvenience to citizens. Yonhap reported that Mayor Kim Sang-uk (김상욱) had insisted since his time as a candidate in the local elections, and after taking office, that the project must be halted. [ 2 , 3 ]
The city said it had pursued public deliberation, queries to central ministries, talks with the contractor and legal advice in search of a lawful basis to stop the project. Yonhap said the ordinance on public deliberation was rejected at the Ulsan city council's review stage; Asia Economy dated the rejection to 16 July. Queries to the Ministry of Planning and Budget and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also found no lawful way to halt the project. [ 1 , 2 ]
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said a work stoppage of more than 60 days falls under the ordering body's responsibility and requires payment. The contractor and legal advisers judged that a contract change or a halt without damages liability was not possible. Newsis said multiple legal opinions expected that halting a properly concluded contract would bring heavy damages liability. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The city judged that stopping the project could bring the return of national funds, sunk costs and damages claims, shifting the financial burden to residents. For worries about rising construction costs and operating deficits, it said it would manage project costs and operations thoroughly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The traffic plan has five areas: communication and safety, spreading and curbing demand, public transport priority, real-time information, and quick handling of complaints. In the work zone the city will apply a straight-ahead traffic system and real-time optimal signals, unify the speed limit at 50 km/h and build in stages to minimise lane occupation. City buses will be concentrated at commuting hours, and real-time information will be given through variable message signs and navigation. A complaint response team will operate. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
For the Munsu-ro section, where the impact is expected to be greatest, the city will carry out seven measures. They include changing the Gongeoptap rotary into an at-grade intersection and widening Daegongwon-ro on the south side from 8 m to 12-15 m. Three waiting spaces for cram-school vehicles will be set up in the Okdong area. Yonhap said the line will run hydrogen-electric trams over 10.85 km with 15 stops by 2029 at a total cost of 381.4 billion won, and Newsis said groundbreaking is scheduled for February next year. Kim Chang-hyun said the city has no authority or means to lawfully halt the project at present, and apologised for the major inconvenience. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The decision ends a review of whether the project could be stopped, which the outlets say was prompted by concern over traffic jams and costs. Residents face construction-period traffic measures, and the city says it will manage costs and operations to limit the burden.
Key facts
- Ulsan city decided on 22 October to continue building Tram Line 1 under the law and the contract. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The city said it found no lawful way to halt the project after public deliberation, queries to central ministries, talks with the contractor and legal advice. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said a work stoppage of more than 60 days falls under the ordering body's responsibility and requires payment. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The city announced a traffic plan of 20 tasks in five areas, with the vision "Everyday life that does not stop, safe public transport innovation". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Speed limits in the construction zone will be unified at 50 km/h. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- On the Munsu-ro section, the city will widen Daegongwon-ro south from 8 m to 12-15 m and provide three waiting spaces for cram-school vehicles in the Okdong area. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The line is to run hydrogen-electric trams over 10.85 km from Taehwagang Station to Sinbok intersection, with 15 stops and a total project cost of 381.4 billion won, by 2029. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Ulsan city announced on 22 October that it will continue Tram Line 1 construction under the law and the contract, together with a traffic plan of 20 tasks in five areas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The city said halting the project could bring the return of national funds, sunk costs and damages claims. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The city said the contractor and legal advisers judged that a contract change or halt without damages liability was not possible. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When construction will start. Only Newsis says groundbreaking is scheduled for February next year; the other documents give no start date.
- What will happen to parking fees at public car parks. Yonhap and Newsis say fees will be raised, while Asia Economy says only that they will be adjusted.
- How construction costs and operating deficits will be limited. The city says only that it will manage project costs and operations thoroughly; no figures or measures are given.