The PyeongChang 2014 bid committee says that preparations for PyeongChang hosting the 2014 Winter Olympic Games are on track with a high-speed train and a new road aimed at improving the speed, safety and reliability of transport to and from PyeongChang and nearby Olympic competition venues.
The high-speed railroad will span a 120 kilometre stretch passing through PyeongChang and will shorten the trip from Seoul, major Korean cities, and hub airports.
The train will run at speeds of 200 kilometres per hour and will benefit from the new 21 kilometre-long tunnel – the country’s longest – below the Daegwallyeong plateau in Gangwon Province.
The government has budgeted 1.865 trillion won for the rail and tunnel project, which will link the Gangwon provincial cities of Wonju and Gangneung. There will be a station in PyeongChang, which lies about halfway between the two cities.
According to rail officials all plans would be finalized within this year and the privately financed construction of the railroad will begin in 2007.
Also travel between PyeongChang and the Jungbong ski area, venue for downhill ski competitions should PyeongChang host the 2014 Games, will also benefit from a new road. Beginning early June workers will lay fresh blacktop along a 7-1/4 kilometre route between PyeongChang and the downhill ski area in the neighbouring town of Jeongseon.
About 82 billion won is earmarked for the road project, which will be completed by 2011.
PyeongChang 2014 officials expect these and other projects to be “clearly visible” in time for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation commission visit to Korea next year.
