In 1966, the South Korean Government and IBRD investigated Gangwon Province and decided to construct a new industrial road connecting Sokcho, Gangneung, and Samcheok. In 1971, the Government decided to construct the Gangneung–Mukho (Donghae City) Section. This expressway was the seventh highway opened in South Korea.
This expressway will connect with Wonsan-Geumgangsan Expressway (원산금강산고속도로) and Wonsan-Hamheung Expressway after Korean reunification.
History
26 March 1974: Construction Began
14 October 1975: Mojeon–Donghae segment opens to traffic (2 lanes)
11 July 1986: Construction started on the Jukheon–Mojeon segment
15 December 1988: Jukheon–Donghae segment opens to traffic (2 lanes)
20 August 1999: Work begins to widen to 4 lanes on the Hyeonnam–Donghae segment
November 2001: Construction begins on the Haeundae–Ulsan section
26 November 2001: Hyeonnam–Gangneung segment opens to traffic (4 lanes)
24 November 2004: Gangneung–Donahae Segment opens to traffic (4 lanes)
December 2004: Construction begins between Hyeonnam and Sokcho
29 December 2008: Haeundae–Ulsan segment opens to traffic (6 lanes)
31 March 2009: Construction begins on Donghae–S.Samcheok section
June 2009: Construction begins on the Ulsan–Pohang segment
27 December 2009: Hyeonnam–Hajodae segment opens to traffic
21 December 2012: Hajodae–Yangyang segment opens to traffic
29 December 2015: Ulsan–S.Gyeongju segment opens to traffic
29 December 2015: W.Gyeongju–S.Pohang segment opens to traffic
30 June 2016: S.Gyeongju–W.Gyeongju segment opens to traffic
9 September 2016: Donghae–S.Samcheok segment opens to traffic
24 November 2016: Yangyang–Sokcho segment opens to traffic
2020: Pohang–S.Samcheok segment will open to traffic
Samcheok–Donghae Rigid Pavement (20.5km, or 12.73mi), Jumunjin-Sokcho (rigid pavement, 18.3km, or 11.37mi)
Total: 203.93 kilometres (126.72mi)
Speed limit
All segments of the Donghae Expressway have a speed limit of 100km/h
List of facilities
An elevated section of the expressway (upper left, with blue walls) running through Songjeong near its terminusIC: Interchange, JC: Junction, SA: Service Area, TG:Tollgate