closer to Changwon, the Masan–Jinju section also includes significant re-alignments along the way. By April 2009, construction progress reached 50.9% of the planned budget of 2,018.782 billion won. The project is implemented as a public-private partnership: the government contribution is 1,680.473 billion won, private capital contributes 338.309 billion won. The Samnangjin-Masan section opened on December 15, 2010. The entire project is foreseen for completion in 2011. Connected projects A new long branch from Hallimjeong Station is to improve freight transport connections to Busan's expanded port. The line proper to Busan New Port Station is long, followed by of port access tracks. By April 2009, progress was 80.7% out of a total budget of 902.384 billion won. The line was opened and the first freight train travelled the line on December 13, 2010. A planned new direct connection from Busan will meet up with the realigned Gyeongjeon Line at Jillye. The 32.6 km long double track cutoff is expected to be finished by 2017 with a budget of 1,396.15 billion won. The project is to be implemented with private finance, the preferred bidder for the franchise was selected in July 2010. This line is foreseen for an upgrade to 230 km/h under the government's 2010 plan for 2020. Jinju-Suncheon Work started in 2003 on a 56.1 km long section between Jinju and Gwangyang. By March 2010, progress was 19% out of a budget of 1,005.984 billion won. This section includes significant re-alignments with longer tunnels and bridges. The upgrade works also commenced at the junction with the Jeolla Line east of Suncheon. Electrification is to reach Suncheon by 2014. Additionally, there are plans for a freight branch from Gwangyang to Gwangyang Port. Suncheon-GwangjuSongjeong Between Hyocheon and GwangjuSongjeong, to relieve congestion at road crossings in the city, the Gyeongjeon Line got a new alignment bypassing Gwangju to the south. The section of the old alignment between GwangjuSongjeong and Gwangju was upgraded as a spur line, again called the Gwangju Line, while the section between Hyocheon and Gwangju, including Namgwangju Station, was torn up. The realignments opened on August 10, 2000. From Boseong, a new cutoff branch is to connect with the Honam Line at Imseong-ri, just before Mokpo. Construction of the 79.5 km long branch commenced in 2002, however, work was suspended in the middle of the 2000s for lack of funds. As of 2010, the project is on hold after having