Visit of the Director of the National Geographic Information Institute, Chairman of the National Place Names Committee
'Guri Amsa Bridge' exists, so naming it 'Godeok Bridge' avoids confusion
"Reduce user confusion and create synergy as a landmark of the Han River"
On the 24th, Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, visited the National Geographic Information Institute to express the necessity of naming the "Godeok Bridge" and to convey the district's opinion. Provided by Gangdong-gu.
Gangdong-gu, Seoul, announced on the 25th that Lee Su-hee, the mayor of Gangdong-gu, met with Jo Woo-seok, the director of the National Geographic Information Institute, to actively express the necessity and the district’s position that the name of the new Han River crossing bridge connecting Godeok-dong and Guri City should be designated as ‘Godeok Bridge.’
The 33rd new Han River crossing bridge, tentatively named ‘Godeok Bridge,’ is scheduled for completion this December, and the name designation is expected to be finalized at the National Place Names Committee meeting to be held within the year. The National Geographic Information Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, operates the National Place Names Committee, and Director Jo serves as the chairman of the committee.
On the 24th, Mayor Lee visited the National Geographic Information Institute located in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon City, and during the meeting with Director Jo, she said, “As the residents of Gangdong-gu have endured long-term sacrifices due to the construction of the highway passing through their residential areas, ‘Godeok Bridge’ is a name filled with the residents’ affection,” adding, “I hope you will actively reflect the residents’ wishes and cooperate to ensure that the bridge name is designated as ‘Godeok Bridge.’”
Gangdong-gu has concentrated its administrative efforts to defend the name ‘Godeok Bridge.’ The reasons cited include: ▲the construction project has used the name ‘Godeok Bridge’ since the early stages of the project; ▲there is the ‘Guri Amsa Bridge’ within 2 km of the tentative ‘Godeok Bridge,’ and calling it ‘Guri Bridge’ could cause confusion among users; ▲‘Godeok’ is a place name with historical value recorded in administrative district documents; ▲Godeok-dong was the starting point of the bridge design, and the construction site passes through the urban area, where residents have endured significant inconvenience and actively cooperated throughout the construction period.
Additionally, ▲Seoul City and Gangdong residents have actively cooperated with national policies by paying 53.2 billion KRW in metropolitan traffic improvement contribution fees to Korea Expressway Corporation related to the Seoul-Sejong Expressway construction project; ▲Godeok-dong is rapidly emerging as a central area in the eastern metropolitan region with the establishment of Godeok Biz Valley; these points have been actively communicated to related organizations such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Expressway Corporation, and Seoul City to justify the designation of the bridge name reflecting the local name ‘Godeok Bridge.’
Mayor Lee Su-hee stated, “The new Han River crossing bridge is connected to Godeok Biz Valley, a large-scale business complex in Godeok-dong, and is located near Gangdong-Godeok Interchange, Godeok Tunnel, as well as Godeok Mountain and Godeok Stream. Therefore, naming it ‘Godeok Bridge,’ which anyone can easily associate with, will create the greatest synergy as a landmark of the Han River,” adding, “We will do our best until the end to ensure that ‘Godeok Bridge,’ which embodies the participation and sacrifices of Gangdong residents, is designated as the final name.”
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