POSCO E&C Demonstrates Unmatched Offshore Bridge Construction Expertise... Incheon 3rd Interconnection Bridge Progressing Steadily

Proving Leadership in Offshore Special Bridges with Differentiated Advanced Smart Construction Technologies
Possessing the World's First 'Cable Equal Tension Technology for Cable-Stayed Bridges' and Korea's First 'BIM-Based Cable-Stayed Bridge Shape Management Technology'

A bird's-eye view of the 3rd Yeonryuk Bridge connecting Yeongjongdo, Incheon, and Cheongna International City [Provided by POSCO Engineering & Construction]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Third Yeonryuk Bridge connecting Yeongjongdo and Cheongna International City in Incheon is currently under construction, aiming for completion in December 2025. Following Yeongjong Bridge and Incheon Bridge, it will be Incheon's third sea bridge linking Yeongjongdo, where Incheon International Airport is located, to the mainland.

The Third Yeonryuk Bridge is designed as the second-largest cable-stayed bridge in Korea after Incheon Bridge, with a main span length (distance between main towers) of 560m and a tower height of 180m. Notably, the tower observatory is expected to surpass the current world's tallest bridge observatory at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in the United States, which stands at 128m.

All sea bridge projects including the Third Yeonryuk Bridge, Hwatae-Baekya (2020), Saemangeum North-South Road (2018), and Jido-Imja (2013) have been contracted by POSCO Engineering & Construction. Demonstrating competitiveness in the specialized field of sea bridges with industry-leading design and construction technology, the company is actively carrying out these projects.

POSCO E&C is enhancing the value of bridge construction by applying the latest smart construction technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modeling: a technology that creates models and information necessary for design, construction, and operation using 3D virtual space), drones, and AI technology.

In particular, the company has independently developed 'Cable-Stayed Bridge Shape Management Technology using BIM' and is the first in Korea to apply it to cable-stayed bridge construction. Shape management of cable-stayed bridges is a core control technology to construct cables, towers, and stiffening girders without errors in tension and shape, requiring advanced structural analysis and expertise, which has traditionally relied on a few specialists.

By utilizing BIM, construction managers can establish plans for 'temporary works' and 'cable-stayed bridge shape management' through BIM construction simulation, and pre-verify errors occurring during construction to shorten the construction period. Safety managers can visually identify safety risk factors for each process and respond promptly.

Additionally, POSCO E&C already possesses outstanding technology in cable-stayed bridge construction. The 'Cable-Stayed Bridge Cable Equal Tensioning Technology,' which ensures cables receive uniform tension, has been 100% dependent on overseas technologies from countries like France and Germany. However, POSCO E&C has become the first in the world to enhance performance to enable construction with ultra-high-strength cables.

POSCO's world-first developed ultra-high-strength (tensile strength 2160MPa) cable, Pos-Cable, is applied to cable-stayed bridges, enabling sturdier construction than before. It has been successfully applied to the Taegum Bridge in Gwangyang and the Nohwa-Gudo Yeonryuk Bridge, proving its technological capability. This proprietary technology, along with the 'Cable-Stayed Bridge Shape Management Technology using BIM,' is currently being applied in the Saemangeum Bridge of the Saemangeum North-South Road Phase 2 Section 2 under construction.

A POSCO E&C official stated, "Through continuous communication with special bridge partners, we have secured safety and quality technology competitiveness and created opportunities for mutual growth," adding, "We will prioritize safety, the company's core value, and do our best to build the top-class bridge."