South Korean metro operator proposes $3 billion Da Nang urban railway

The urban rail network would cover the city’s central area, connect to the beach, airport and main roads, and meet travel needs in all directions, according to a recent report of Da Nang People's Committee.

The committee has estimated the combined cost of the network at $3.14 billion. 

The biggest investment in the rail network will be the east-west metro route connecting the city’s central districts with industrial parks in the northeast of the city, where travel demand is the highest. The metro line will be 17.2 km long and cost $2.364 billion to build. 

The tramway (overground) routes will be much less expensive, the two longest being the 13.4 km connecting the resort area of My Khe beach to downtown Da Nang, with an estimated investment of $245 million; and another that connects the beach to the airport, 8.124 km long with a cost of $209 million. 

Seoul Metro proposes to prioritize building the two tramway routes first. It would conduct further analysis of Da Nang traffic and prepare a pre-feasibility report on the proposed railway route.

Vice Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee Dang Viet Dung said that his administration has asked the municipal department and other agencies to research and closely follow the city’s urban planning from now to 2045.