DL E&C wins bid for Namhae-Yeosu undersea tunnel project

A rendering of Namhae-Yeosu undersea tunnel [Photo provided by DL E&C]

South Korea’s DL E&C Co. has secured a contract for the construction of the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel through its distinctive design, establishing a new four-lane national highway spanning a total distance of 8.09 kilometers, connecting Shindeok-dong in Yeosu to Seomyeon in Namhae that would cost 697.4 billion won ($530 million).

The former construction division of Daelim Industrial stands out among the bidders, having garnered the highest technical score by presenting the concept of a divergence tunnel, which not only encompasses the primary tunnel route but also incorporates a supplementary undersea connection road towards the northern region of Namhae, extending the scope of the project by 5.76 kilometers.

Originally, the project’s initial plan was centered around a unidirectional southbound route, linking Shindeok-dong in Yeosu to Seosang-ri in Namhae. However, DL E&C, driven by its commitment to regional economic growth and balanced development, proposed a groundbreaking solution by introducing the concept of the divergence tunnel, which aims to connect the northwestern region of Namhae, specifically Namsang-ri, to the existing infrastructure.

“Drawing upon our extensive experience in constructing notable projects such as the Singapore Marina Coastal Expressway and the Sinwol-Yeoui Underground Road (Seoul Jemulpo Tunnel), we have conceptualized divergence tunnel as a means to establish connectivity between the southern and northern regions of Namhae and Yeosu. This visionary design seeks to maximize the benefits of tourism and stimulate regional economic growth concurrently,” said the company’s spokesperson.

DL E&C harnessed its state-of-the-art technology and expertise to create a distinctive design for the project, utilizing its proprietary Building Information Modeling (BIM) Tunnel Design Package powered by artificial intelligence-based generative design. This cutting-edge approach enabled DL E&C to differentiate itself from other contenders and present an unparalleled vision for the Namhae-Yeosu Undersea Tunnel.

Upon completion, which is anticipated by 2031, DL E&C could realize a dramatic reduction in travel time between Namhae and Yeosu, from the current 1 hour and 30 minutes to a mere 10 minutes.