A 152-kilometer maritime highway is set to be constructed, connecting Yeosu in South Jeolla Province to Namhae, Tongyeong, and Geoje in South Gyeongsang Province, and extending all the way to Busan.
On July 10, the South Gyeongsang Provincial Government announced at the provincial government press center that a 43-kilometer maritime highway connecting Changseon in Namhae, through Saryangdo in Tongyeong, to Donam-dong has been included in the latest national highway route plan implemented by the state.
Jang Chungnam, Namhae County Governor (from the far left), Cheon Younggi, Tongyeong Mayor, Park Wansu, Gyeongnam Province Governor, and Byun Kwangyong, Geoje Mayor, are announcing the confirmation of the coastal national highway connecting the islands of the southern sea. Photo by Lee Seryung
Governor Park Wansu, who made the announcement in person, stated, "The coastal maritime highway connecting the islands of the southern coast, running seamlessly from Yeosu through the southern coast of South Gyeongsang to Busan, has been officially designated as a national highway. This marks the beginning of the first step in transforming the map of the southern coast."
On July 9, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held a Road Policy Deliberation Committee meeting and upgraded 3.4 kilometers of Namhae County Local Road No. 1024, 9.1 kilometers of Tongyeong City Local Road No. 1021, and 2.5 kilometers of Tongyeong City Nationally Supported Local Road No. 67 to national highways.
In addition, by connecting a 28-kilometer maritime section between Saryangdo and Suudo in Tongyeong, the starting point of National Highway No. 5, which extends to Cheorwon County in Gangwon Province, was extended by 43 kilometers from Donam-dong in Tongyeong to Changseon-myeon in Namhae County.
The extended section will feature five major maritime bridges?Shinnamhae Bridge, Saryang Bridge, Shintongyeong Bridge, Hansan Daecheop Bridge, and Haegeumgang Bridge?as part of the provincial government's flagship project, the "Southern Coast Island Connecting Maritime National Highway," enabling vehicles to travel between the mainland and the islands.
Specifically, Shinnamhae Bridge will span 4 kilometers between Changseon in Namhae and Suudo in Tongyeong; Saryang Bridge will cover 3 kilometers between Suudo and Saryangdo in Tongyeong; Shintongyeong Bridge will stretch 7 kilometers between Saryangdo and Donam-dong in Tongyeong; Hansan Daecheop Bridge will connect 2.8 kilometers between Donam-dong and Hansando in Tongyeong; and Haegeumgang Bridge will link 1 kilometer between Hansando in Tongyeong and Dongbu in Geoje.
Section and bird's-eye view of the South Coast Island Maritime National Road. Provided by Gyeongnam Province.
The 5.8-kilometer Namhae-Yeosu Tunnel, which connects Yeosu and Namhae, began construction in 2024 and is scheduled for completion in 2031. The section from Geoje City to Busan is already connected by the 8.2-kilometer Geoga Bridge and an undersea tunnel.
The maritime section of National Highway No. 5, which includes Hansan Daecheop Bridge and Haegeumgang Bridge, is currently undergoing a preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance for inclusion in the 6th National Highway Construction Plan by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government expects that the construction of this maritime national highway will expand transportation rights for island residents and revitalize the regional economy.
The travel time for island residents, which previously took more than an hour by ferry, will be reduced to around 20 minutes by car. The travel distance between Namhae and Tongyeong will decrease from 81 kilometers to 43 kilometers, enabling travel in about 30 minutes. The journey from Namhae, through Tongyeong and Geoje, to Gadeokdo New Airport is expected to be shortened by more than 40 minutes.
Upon completion of the island-connecting maritime national highway, daily traffic volume is projected to reach up to 17,000 vehicles, with induced production effects of 4.0043 trillion won, value-added effects of 1.6967 trillion won, and employment effects for 25,518 people.
Annual social cost savings are also expected, including 69.4 billion won in operating costs, 45.8 billion won in time costs, 700 million won in traffic accident costs, and 600 million won in environmental costs, totaling 116.5 billion won per year.
Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province is answering questions related to the construction of a maritime national highway connecting the islands of the southern coast. Photo by Lee Seryung
Additionally, the provincial government stated that if the "Special Act on the Development of the Southern Coastal Region," which South Gyeongsang Province is working to enact, passes the National Assembly, it will further boost tourism in the southern coastal area.
Governor Park emphasized, "South Gyeongsang Province boasts beautiful islands and natural scenery along the southern coast, which cannot be found in the Seoul metropolitan area. Until now, the southern coast has not received much attention due to accessibility issues, but this will be resolved with the construction of the maritime highway."
He added, "Once the five grand bridges are completed, they alone will become world-class tourism resources and serve as key attractions to draw not only domestic but also international tourists."
Cheon Younggi, Mayor of Tongyeong, stated, "This maritime highway connection is expected to serve as a catalyst for ushering in a new era for the southern coast. I hope that one of the five maritime bridges will begin construction each year, and since more than two-thirds of the route passes through Tongyeong, this will transform Tongyeong into the central city for marine tourism along the southern coast."
Byun Kwangyong, Mayor of Geoje, said, "With the new administration, expectations for new possibilities and opportunities in the southern coastal region are rising. We will do our utmost to ensure that the national highway connecting the southern coast islands can be unveiled to the people, provincial residents, city residents, and county residents as soon as possible."
Jang Chungnam, Namhae County Governor, remarked, "Once the maritime highway is built, the current V-shaped tourism pattern, which connects the Seoul metropolitan area to Tongyeong, Geoje, Yeosu, and Suncheon, will extend to the southern coast and change to a U-shaped pattern, greatly enhancing tourism synergy. We will do our best not only to complete this maritime highway but also to establish the southern coastal tourism belt, a national priority."
The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government plans to accelerate the establishment of a marine tourism infrastructure in the southern coastal region, using the extension of the national highway as a catalyst. The province aims to foster the southern coast as a growth engine for Korea and a target for foreign investment by creating maritime landmarks that combine history and nature, such as Hansan Daecheop Bridge, developing tourism products, and attracting private capital.
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