Gwangyang-si Launches Full-Scale Project to Develop Samhwa Island as a Tourist Attraction

Creation of Urban Waterfront Tourism Infrastructure Including Award-Winning Complex Spaces and Observation Facilities

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gwangyang City announced on the 4th that it is accelerating efforts to successfully promote the ‘Yi Sun-sin Bridge Beach Tourism Theme Street Project,’ one of the five core pledges of the 7th local government administration.

The city stated that it will officially begin the detailed design service for the tourism attraction project of Samhwa Island, the core area of ‘Gwangyang Haebichi-ro (Yi Sun-sin Bridge Beach Tourism Theme Street),’ in March.

The Samhwa Island tourism attraction project aims to create an urban waterfront tourism base centered on Samhwa Island, including a complex water space and observation facilities. The city plans to secure a total budget of 5.5 billion KRW (2.75 billion KRW from the provincial government and 2.75 billion KRW from the city) in stages by 2023 to carry out the project.

The city plans to complete the detailed design service by August, then proceed with administrative procedures such as permits related to the use and occupation of public waters, start construction in January next year, and complete the project by December 2023.

Park Soon-gi, Director of the Tourism Division, said, “This project, which puts the spotlight on Gwangyang Haebichi-ro, will not only offer citizens a unique beach space but is also expected to serve as a catalyst to attract tourists to the urban area.”

He added, “We will also proceed as planned with the nighttime lighting project for the five major bridges (Yi Sun-sin Bridge connection, Madong and Geumho IC connection bridges, Gilho Bridge, Geumho Bridge), which is underway aiming for completion in the first half of the year, to complete a Gwangyang that shines both day and night.”

Meanwhile, the ‘Yi Sun-sin Bridge Beach Tourism Theme Street Project,’ launched in November 2016, is a key project of Gwangyang City designed to enhance urban vitality and revitalize the local economy by transforming the waterfront areas around Gwangyang Bay and Yi Sun-sin Bridge into an ‘emotional content hub’ enjoyed by citizens and visited by tourists.

Through a public naming contest, the city finalized the name of the Yi Sun-sin Bridge Beach Tourism Theme Street as ‘Gwangyang Haebichi-ro’ and the official name of the scenic pedestrian bridge connecting Samhwa Island and Madong Sports Park as ‘Haeoreum Bridge.’ The city has completed the construction of the Rainbow Bridge connecting Geumho-dong and Samhwa Island, a waterfront observation rest area, maintenance of the summit area of Samhwa Island and natural trails, and Haeoreum Bridge.