On January 1, Gyeonggi Province reduced the toll fees for the Ilsan Bridge by half. This is a proactive measure that reflects the province’s strong commitment to making the Ilsan Bridge completely toll-free.
As a result of this measure, the toll fees for Ilsan Bridge have been adjusted as follows: Category 1 (passenger cars or vans with up to 16 seats, etc.) from 1,200 won to 600 won; Categories 2 and 3 (trucks, etc.) from 1,800 won to 900 won; Categories 4 and 5 (trucks weighing 10 tons or more, etc.) from 2,400 won to 1,200 won; and Category 6 (compact cars, etc.) from 600 won to 300 won.
Originally, making the Ilsan Bridge toll-free required financial contributions from the central government and related local governments (Goyang, Paju, and Gimpo), and delays in budget deliberations were expected to hinder the full implementation of the plan.
However, after discussions with the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, Gyeonggi Province decided to prioritize the “half-price toll” policy by allocating its own budget to subsidize 50% of the toll fees, in order to provide better transportation welfare for residents. Out of the 40 billion won needed to make the Ilsan Bridge toll-free, Gyeonggi Province has allocated 20 billion won in this year’s main budget.
Starting this year and continuing until the toll collection contract expires in 2038, Gyeonggi Province will pay 50% of the toll fees to the National Pension Service, which owns the Ilsan Bridge. The remaining 50% will be covered by basic local governments such as Gimpo, Goyang, and Paju, as well as the central government.
Beginning with this toll reduction, Gyeonggi Province will continue to pursue follow-up measures such as financial cost sharing, institutional improvements, and joint actions to strengthen public interest, so that the plan to make the Ilsan Bridge completely toll-free by 2026 can proceed without setbacks.
The initiative to make the Ilsan Bridge toll-free was first launched in 2021 when President Lee Jaemyung was serving as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province.
Toll fees for Ilsan Bridge have been reduced by 50% starting January 1, 2026. Provided by Gyeonggi Province
At that time, Governor Lee stated during an on-site meeting on improving the Ilsan Bridge toll system, “It is extremely unfair and inequitable that this is the only bridge over the Han River with a toll. Gyeonggi Province will seek alternatives.”
However, the plan faced obstacles due to the National Pension Service, the owner of the Ilsan Bridge, insisting on maintaining profitability and ensuing legal disputes. Although a temporary toll-free period was implemented from October 27 to November 17, 2021, through a public interest disposition (cancellation of the project operator designation), toll fees were reinstated after the court issued a stay of execution.
This year, the government finalized a budget for a research project to review support measures for the Ilsan Bridge toll fees, and the related study is underway. Gyeonggi Province is also working to include toll fees in next year’s national budget based on the results of this study.
Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, stated, “The toll reduction is not the end, but a new starting point toward making the bridge completely toll-free. I hope that the central government and the cities of Gimpo, Paju, and Goyang will also join in cost sharing and institutional improvements for the convenience of residents. We will do our utmost to improve the quality of life for residents through responsible administration that keeps its promises.”
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