Suncheon's New Gateway, 'Ecological Street Bridge' Opens

The Core Axis of the Network Connecting the City Center and Suncheonman Wetland

Ecological Street Bridge. Provided by Suncheon City

Noh Gwankyu, mayor of Suncheon, Kang Hyunggu, chairman of the Suncheon City Council, and other guests are cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Suncheonman 'Ecological Street Bridge' on the 17th. Provided by Suncheon City

The long-awaited project of Suncheon City to connect the urban center with nature has finally come to fruition. On the 17th, Suncheon City held an opening ceremony for the 'Ecological Street Bridge,' which links the city center and Suncheonman Wetland, and officially announced the start of its operation on the 18th.

This bridge represents more than just a simple structure. Serving as a key axis of the 'ecological network' that unites downtown Suncheon with the world-renowned ecotourism destination Suncheonman Wetland, the bridge was completed approximately two and a half years after construction began in December 2022, with a total budget of 20 billion won.

Measuring 165 meters in length and built as a four-lane, bidirectional bridge, it is a first-grade structure that can safely accommodate large vehicles weighing up to 43 tons. To preserve the river ecosystem and maintain water flow, a three-span design with only two piers was adopted, instead of the previous 11 piers. This approach has earned the bridge high marks for both environmental friendliness and durability.

The opening of this bridge is expected to dramatically resolve the chronic traffic bottleneck between the city center and Suncheonman Wetland, which has long caused inconvenience for residents.

Starting with this bridge, the city plans to expand the section leading to Tongcheonjeongmiso in Dosa-dong to four lanes in both directions by 2028, significantly restructuring Suncheon's north-south road axis.

A city official stated, "This project is not simply about building a bridge, but marks the starting point for Suncheon-style ecological transportation transformation for both citizens and tourists," adding, "We will continue our efforts to provide better road environments and greater convenience in transportation."

The previous bridge, constructed in 1967, had served as a gateway to the city for many years. However, after receiving a D grade in a detailed safety inspection in 2019, safety concerns were raised, ultimately leading to its demolition and reconstruction.