South Korea's Seoul Metro Corporation on February 21 proposed spending over US$3 billion on construction of an urban railway system in Danang, including metro and tramway lines, during a meeting with the Danang City municipal government, Thanh Nien newspaper reported.

In this file photo, passengers wait for getting on a train at Danang railway station. South Korea's Seoul Metro Corp. has proposed spending over US$3 billion on construction of an urban railway system in Danang

Under the tentative plan prepared by the corporation, the proposed railways are expected to cover the central area of the city, linking beaches, the airport and main roads. The railway network is aimed at meeting transport demands in two North-South and East-West directions.

The projected South-North tramway line, to stretch 8.38 kilometers, will require an estimated investment capital of US$173 million, linking the eastern bank of the Han River and Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains), while the 8.82 kilometer South-North tramway line will also receive funding of US$173 million, stretching from the western bank of the Han River to the south wing of the airport and the northern region of the sea.

The East-West metro line, with an expected cost of  US$2.3 billion, will run from the center of Thanh Khe District and Hai Chau District to East Sea Park.

Also, the firm proposed prioritizing construction of the East-West tramway line, which will run for 8.24 kilometers and connect My Khe Beach with the airport, and the 13.4-kilometer South-North tramway line along My Khe Beach, linking with the southeastern region of the city.

The two lines will require an estimated US$209 million and US$245 million, respectively.

Speaking at the meeting, vice chairman of Danang City Dang Viet Dung approved the plan in principle, and asked the municipal Department of Transport and relevant agencies to support the South Korean firm’s proposal.

SGT