Gimpo City: "Gimpo Residents to Use Ilsan Bridge Free of Charge for Commutes in the First Half of Next Year"

Gimpo City Continues Half-Price Toll Support for Ilsan Bridge
Gyeonggi Province Approves 20 Billion Won for Ilsan Bridge Toll Subsidy
Kim Byungsoo: "We Will Do Our Best to Introduce Our Own Post-Payment Toll Settlement System Early"

Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) announced on the 29th that "Gimpo residents will be able to use Ilsan Bridge free of charge during their commutes in the first half of next year." This follows Gimpo City's previous policy of subsidizing half the toll for Ilsan Bridge and the final approval of a 20 billion won budget for toll support by the Gyeonggi Provincial Council.

View of Ilsan Bridge. Provided by Gimpo City

Once Gimpo City's post-payment toll settlement system is established in the first half of next year, Gimpo residents will be able to use Ilsan Bridge free of charge during weekday commuting hours. The support method under consideration involves Gyeonggi Province initially providing a 50% discount on the toll for all vehicles, while Gimpo City is reviewing a plan to directly reimburse Gimpo residents after verifying their usage records.

With the passage of this Gyeonggi Province budget, Gimpo City's toll support policy is expected to be implemented more stably in connection with broader regional policies. In addition, it is anticipated to have a positive impact not only for Gimpo residents but also in improving transportation convenience and alleviating transportation costs for residents in the northwestern part of the Seoul metropolitan area.

Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo City, stated, "We welcome the approval of the 20 billion won budget for Ilsan Bridge toll support by Gyeonggi Province," and added, "Gimpo City will continue to prioritize residents' mobility rights and quality of life. To help lighten the daily burden of Gimpo citizens, we will introduce our own post-payment toll settlement system as soon as possible and do our utmost to provide toll support for Ilsan Bridge within the first half of the year."

Ilsan Bridge, a key transportation infrastructure connecting Gimpo City and Goyang City, has long caused inconvenience and complaints from residents due to the toll burden characteristic of private investment roads. Although discussions about making Ilsan Bridge toll-free have continued for years, there has been little progress due to the nature of private investment roads and delays in coordination among neighboring local governments.

Prior to the finalization of the Gyeonggi Province budget, Gimpo City took proactive steps to guarantee residents' mobility rights and reduce their actual transportation costs. On September 30, Gimpo City announced a legislative notice for the ordinance on Ilsan Bridge toll support, followed by the enactment of the ordinance in December and securing the 2026 toll support budget. This is a case in which a basic local government responded proactively to resolve transportation issues directly affecting citizens' daily lives, ahead of broader regional government policies.