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The Jeolla Railway linking Iksan and Yeosu will have double tracks by 2011, shortening the traveling time between Seoul and the southern port from the current five hours to three by bullet train. That is expected to help Yeosu in its bid to host the 2012 World Expo. The Ministry of Transportation and Construction said Monday it concluded that it is necessary to extend the bullet train tracks for the entire length of the trip to help Yeosu¡¯s bid for the World Expo.
The ministry will start laying double tracks of 35.2§° between Iksan and Shin-ri in July this year and compete them by 2011, when it also expects to complete ongoing construction of double tracks between Shin-ri and Yeosu. The plan, which will cost a total of W435.1 billion (US$1=W933), is the first railway project implemented on a build-transfer-lease basis whereby a private constructor completes a project and leases it from the government for a certain period. The government will pay W60 billion for the purchase of land and design and take over the ownership after the 20-year lease expires.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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