Jamsugyo Bridge to Become Pedestrian-Only After 50 Years

[Anchor]

Seoul's Jamsugyo Bridge is set to be transformed into a pedestrian-only bridge, halting vehicular traffic for the first time in 50 years since its opening. Traffic controls and construction will begin on the 26th of this month. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to turn Jamsugyo into a space blending culture and relaxation by August of next year.

Here is a report by reporter Yun Nara.

[Reporter]

Constructed in 1976, Jamsugyo Bridge was built as a vehicular bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of the Han River.

[Korean News (1976): This is the construction site of Jamsugyo Bridge connecting Seobinggo and Banpo. Once completed, Jamsugyo will greatly contribute to distributing traffic volume from the first Han River Bridge...]

In 2008, two of the four lanes were converted into paths for pedestrians and bicyclists, though some reviews pointed out that it felt somewhat unsafe.

[Kim Geon-hui / Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province: Because the pedestrian path is narrow, when there are a lot of people walking around, if you inevitably have to walk by the roadway, (you worry) a car might come.]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to turn Jamsugyo into a pedestrian-only bridge by August of next year.

Seasonal outdoor festivals, street performances, and open-air markets will be held on the pedestrian-only bridge.

[Choi Jae-seok / Yongsan District, Seoul: There are parks, water, and the moonlight rainbow fountain. I think it would be great to come out and hang out with family. Since cars won't be driving through.]

In particular, transparent decks will be installed on some sections of Jamsugyo so visitors can look down at the Han River below from the bridge.

Last year, the average daily traffic volume on Jamsugyo was about 20,200 vehicles, which is one-fifth of the roughly 100,000 vehicles seen on other Han River bridges.

Therefore, the Seoul Metropolitan Government expects that traffic congestion caused by the vehicle restrictions will not be significant.

The Car-Free Jamsugyo Tteubuk Tteubuk Festival, which has been held every Sunday since September 6, will run until the 25th of this month, and vehicle traffic will be completely restricted starting on the 26th.

Even after construction begins, pedestrians and bicyclists will still be able to use Jamsugyo.

(Video by: Kim Heung-ki, Video Editing by: Kim Jun-hee)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.