Line Extensions: Bundang Line - Northern Extension

While new transport lines are being built in South Korea all the time, many existing lines are also often being extended. To start off with upcoming projects which most people know about, today we take a look at the original Bundang(분당) line. If you have ever taken a drive in the area around Gangnam-gu Office(강남구청), you'll already know that there is a lot of work going on and it has been affecting the traffic a lot.

Narrow roads and ugly construction sites have become a regular sight for those in Yeoksam-dong & Hak-dong

This extension brings the orginal Bundang line through Gangnam and north of the Han, all the way to Wangshimli(왕십리). While the primary purpose of this extension may be giving residents in Seongnam(성남시) better access to Northern Seoul, it will play a very important part for those travelling and commuting across Seoul also. Since this line passes right through the dense business district of Gangnam it will be largely used by commuters.

Currently, it is a pain in the exterior if you wish to travel directly north via PT.

The best thing about this line, is that it provides the missing link which has been desperately needed within this area. It will be a big relief for many working within Gangnam-gu where a subway station is not within walking distance or commuters want to go directly North or South rather than East or West.

The new extension will provide ease of access for transferring to other lines and accessing other parts of Seoul. Although this extension crosses the Han River, it does so not by bridge but by tunnel. Remember this is not the only underwater tunnel, there are 2 on line No. 5!

From Son-nung(선릉) which is currently the first station on the Bundang line, it will proceed north to the following stations.

• Sam-nung(삼릉) which will later on connect to the line No. 9 extension which I will post about later.
• Gangnam-gu Office(강남구청) which connects with line No. 7.
• Shin-Cheongdam(신청담) is another brand new station.
• Seoul Forest(서울숲역) is sure to be a winner with families and couples on dates.

Finally Wangshimli(왕십리) will become the station with the most internal transfer lines in all of Korea connecting with Line No. 2, No. 5 and the Jungang Line. Although Seoul Station also has 4 lines, you must leave the subway system and pay again at another gate. I cannot fathom how busy this station will become once the extension opens and I am very curious to see how much patronage increases.

The Bundang line's northern extension is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.