Busan accelerates Sasang-Haeundae Expressway project

The Busan Metropolitan Council has approved an agreement regarding the handling of the Dongseo Overpass, clearing a major hurdle for the construction of the Sasang-Haeundae Expressway (the second deep-level expressway). This approval allows Busan City to move forward with the project by submitting the agreement to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and proceeding with subsequent implementation contracts.

The 21.7km expressway project aims to connect the Namhae and Donghae Expressways, creating an economic belt between Changwon, Busan, and the Pohang/Ulsan regions. Once completed, travel time from Gimhae International Airport in West Busan to Haeundae in East Busan is expected to be reduced from 83 minutes to 36 minutes.

Key aspects of the plan include the demolition of certain sections of the existing Dongseo Overpass at the start and end points of the highway. For the Hakjang-Jinyang section, the city is considering whether to demolish the structure or preserve it as a park. The project is intended to improve logistics, disperse urban traffic, and enhance accessibility to the new Gadeokdo New Airport, while integrating the industrial West Busan and the tourism-focused East Busan into a single economic zone.