First Day of Total Vehicle Ban on Jamsugyo Bridge After 50 Years: "Great for Strolls" vs. "Traffic Blocked"

[Anchor]

Seoul's Jamsugyo Bridge has been converted into a pedestrian-only bridge, barring vehicles for the first time in 50 years since its opening. Complete traffic restrictions took effect starting today (October 26).

Reporter Kim Minjeong met with citizens to hear their thoughts on the change.

[Reporter]

Jamsugyo Bridge, a barometer for floods that was always the first to submerge in the Han River during torrential downpours, is becoming a pedestrian-only bridge 50 years after its opening.

With full-scale construction getting underway last night, vehicle traffic was completely barred starting at midnight today.

City buses No. 405 and No. 740, which previously passed through Jamsugyo Bridge, were diverted to Banpodaegyo Bridge in both directions starting today. The bidirectional stops at Some Sevit on the southern end of Jamsugyo Bridge in Banpo Hangang Park were also closed.

During the Monday morning commute, some drivers who were unaware of the restrictions were caught off guard at the fork dividing Banpodaegyo Bridge and Jamsugyo Bridge.

[Lee Young-shik / Model Driver, Seocho Police Station: There were occasional people asking for at least a sign to be put up ahead of time so they would know Jamsugyo Bridge is inaccessible.]

However, there was no major chaos.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government forecasted that the traffic impact would not be significant, noting that the number of vehicles passing through Jamsugyo Bridge last year was one-fifth that of other Han River bridges.

Citizen reactions remain mixed.

[Kim Bo-kyung / Gwanak-gu, Seoul: Buses passed by and sports cars sped through, which hindered walks, so I think it is great that it is restricted. I hope it becomes a space where my nephew can run around comfortably.]

[Kim Hee-yeol / Gwanak-gu, Seoul: This morning, I came from Seoul Station to St. Mary's Hospital. It seems to have been congested for well over 5 minutes. There needs to be some kind of solution, such as adjusting the traffic lights at the intersection in front of St. Mary's Hospital.]

Seoul plans to transform the bridge into a pedestrian-friendly walkway through construction projects that will install viewing areas, transparent glass deck flooring, and spaces for various events.

Construction will run until August of next year, and pedestrian access will also be completely restricted for about a month and a half near the end of the construction period.

(Camera Reporter: Kim Heung-ki | Video Editor: Kim Ho-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.