'Gogi Bridge' Expansion Connecting Gogi-dong, Yongin to Daejang-dong, Seongnam Enters Full Swing

Gyeonggi-do Breathes Easier with 'Dongmakcheon River Basic Plan Change' Notice
Yongin City Expands Bridge to 4 Lanes and Upgrades Surrounding Road Network

Despite experiencing severe traffic congestion, the expansion of the road network in the Gogi-dong area of Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, which had been delayed due to administrative procedure delays, is expected to be fully underway.

According to Yongin City on the 2nd, the city recently decided to actively promote traffic improvement projects such as the reconstruction of Gogi Bridge and the expansion of surrounding roads following Gyeonggi Province's official announcement of the 'Dongmakcheon River Basic Plan Amendment' for the Gogi-dong area.

A panoramic view of the Gogi Bridge area connecting Gogi-dong in Yongin and Daejang-dong in Seongnam. Yongin City plans to expand the existing Gogi Bridge to a four-lane road and improve the surrounding road network.
[Photo by Yongin City]

Gogi Bridge is a bridge connecting Gogi-dong in Suji-gu, Yongin, and Daejang-dong in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, spanning Dongmakcheon Stream. Despite a rapid increase in vehicle traffic due to recent developments in the Daejang district, the bridge has only two lanes in both directions, causing habitual congestion during rush hours. The riverbed under the bridge is also narrow, leading to frequent flooding during heavy summer rains.

The city has been promoting the expansion and reconstruction of Gogi Bridge and the maintenance of the surrounding road network. In particular, immediately after the launch of the 8th elected administration in September 2022, Mayor Lee Sang-il of Yongin signed an agreement with Mayor Shin Sang-jin of Seongnam to reconstruct Gogi Bridge and improve the surrounding traffic conditions. Through this agreement, the two institutions decided to demolish the existing Gogi Bridge and reconstruct it as a four-lane bridge with sidewalks.

However, the project stalled as Gyeonggi Province first initiated the 'Local River Dongmakcheon Maintenance Project' in the area from 216-11 Gogi-dong to Nakseong Reservoir. Until the province officially announced the amendment to the Dongmakcheon River Basic Plan, it was impossible to proceed with the bridge expansion or the surrounding road network expansion projects.

The stalled project was revived when Mayor Lee met with Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon on the 12th of last month and requested, "Please expedite the official announcement procedure for the amendment to the river basic plan." Subsequently, Gyeonggi Province officially announced the 'Dongmakcheon River Basic Plan Amendment' on the 22nd, just ten days later. According to the announced plan, the design flood discharge of Dongmakcheon was raised from 333 cubic meters per second to 344 cubic meters per second, and the planned river width was expanded from 36 meters to 40 meters.

Mayor Lee stated, "With this announcement, the long-standing issues in Dongcheon-dong, such as flood prevention around Gogi Bridge and traffic improvement projects, can now be actively pursued," adding, "We will consult with Seongnam City to proceed with the Gogi Bridge reconstruction and traffic improvement projects in Gogi-dong as swiftly as possible."

Accordingly, the city plans to complete the supplementary design necessary for the reconstruction of Gogi Bridge by August, finish facility decisions and approval procedures by February next year, and proceed with compensation and construction.

The city also intends to actively cooperate to ensure the swift progress of Gyeonggi Province's Dongmakcheon Local River Maintenance Project. This project involves constructing a 1.5 km embankment and maintaining 1.9 km of high and low water banks. The project also includes demolishing one bridge and reconstructing two others. Currently, the detailed design service is underway, with the province planning to complete the design by July and finish the maintenance project by the end of 2028.

Before completing the Gogi Bridge reconstruction and surrounding traffic improvement projects, Yongin City plans to complete repair and reinforcement work within this month, including raising the safety grade of the existing Gogi Bridge to grade A and installing sidewalks.