Concerns Over 9cm Gap at Seongsu Bridge Ramp: Seoul City Claims No Safety Issues

A 9-centimeter gap has formed at the entrance ramp of the Seongsu Bridge in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, leading to a series of reports from concerned citizens.

The gap, which begins at the concrete barriers on both sides of the ramp, extends to the edge of the bridge deck.

The affected area is the ramp leading from the Olympic Expressway toward Jamsil onto the Seongsu Bridge, which is an uphill section constructed with soil and retaining walls.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government stated that it has received multiple reports from citizens regarding the gap on the Seongsu Bridge ramp through the Seoul Facilities Corporation and other channels since June 2026.

However, the city maintains that there are no safety concerns, as the gap has reportedly existed for several years.

"We have been periodically monitoring the gap, and we have determined that there are no safety issues because there is no evidence of the elevated road gradually sagging," the city stated.

The city further explained that the center of the road, where vehicles travel, is paved with asphalt, and therefore, the gap does not interfere with traffic.

Seoul officials believe the gap likely occurred due to a lack of precision during the construction of the bridge entrance, specifically during the soil compaction or the installation of the retaining walls.

Nevertheless, some are raising concerns, citing the past collapse of the Seongsu Bridge and the recent collapse of the Seosomun Overpass, and are calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the gap.

Experts have pointed out that even a 1 to 2-centimeter gap is problematic and that a detailed safety inspection should be considered.

In October 1994, the Seongsu Bridge suffered a catastrophic collapse, resulting in 49 casualties.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.