Gyeongin Expressway

Expressway No.120
Gyeongin Expressway
Route information
Length24 km (15 mi)
Existed1968–present
Major junctions
east endSinwol Interchange in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
west endNam-gu, Incheon
Location
CountrySouth Korea
Highway system
Gyeongin Expressway
Hangul
경인 고속도로
Hanja
京仁高速道路
RRGyeongin gosokdoro
MRKyŏngin kosoktoro

The Gyeongin Expressway, officially Expressway No. 120, is an expressway in South Korea connecting the Yangcheon District of Seoul to the Nam District of Incheon. It is the oldest expressway in South Korea, predating Gyeongbu Expressway by 3 years.[1] Upon its opening, it reduced the travel time between Incheon and Seoul from one hour to 18 minutes, effectively integrating the two cities into a single living zone.[1]

Construction began March 24, 1967. The initial segment between Gajwa in the Seo District of Incheon and Yangpyeong-dong in the Yeongdeungpo District of Seoul opened on December 21, 1968. This was followed by the opening of the section from Gajwa to Incheon Port.[1] In 1985, the easternmost segment between Yangpyeong and the Shinwol Interchange was transferred to Seoul, making Shinwol in the Yancheong District the new terminus.

It was assigned route number 2 in 1983. In 2001, South Korea re-rationalized its expressway numbering system, and it was redesignated route 120.

History

Construction of the highway began on 24 March 1967 and was completed on 21 December 1968, becoming South Korea's first expressway.[2] Originally a four-lane highway, it was expanded to six to eight lanes in various sections to accommodate surging traffic volume.[1]

The region's infrastructure was further developed with the opening of the Second Gyeongin Expressway in December 1996, which connects Incheon to Seongnam, and the Third Gyeongin Expressway in May 2010, which connects Incheon to Siheung.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Incheon Metropolitan City 2020, PT42.
  2. ^ Jun-wan, Kang (23 January 2025). "서울~인천 15㎞ 지하로 달린다...경인고속도로 57년만에 대변화" [Seoul-Incheon to Run 15km Underground...Gyeongin Expressway Undergoes Major Transformation for the First Time in 57 Years]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 30 November 2025.

Sources

See also