Seoul to close Jamsu Bridge to vehicles from 26 October, 50 years after it opened
In short
The Seoul city government said on 8 October that it will close Jamsu Bridge (잠수교) over the Han River to all vehicle traffic from midnight on 26 October and start building the city's first pedestrian-only Han River bridge. Work on wider pedestrian decks and paving is due to finish by August 2027, adding 22 viewing spaces and transparent glass decks over two shipping channels. Buses 740 and 405 will be rerouted over Banpo Bridge (반포대교).
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The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on 8 October that it will fully ban vehicles from Jamsu Bridge (잠수교) from 00:00 on 26 October and begin construction to turn it into Seoul's first pedestrian-only bridge across the Han River. The closure follows the end of this year's last Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Ttubeok Ttubeok Festival (차 없는 잠수교 뚜벅뚜벅 축제), which Chosun Ilbo said ends on 25 October. The city plans to complete deck expansion and paving by August 2027; Korea Economic Daily said the bridge would become pedestrian-only in the second half of next year. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
The redesigned bridge will have 22 new viewing spaces, and transparent decks will be installed at two sections over shipping channels so visitors can look down at the river. The underpass at the north end will be cleared of road traffic and turned into pedestrian space, which the city said would improve access to the river from the Yongsan and Itaewon area. Seoul Economic Daily reported that outdoor festivals, street performances and flea markets are planned once work is finished. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
Pedestrians and cyclists can continue to use the bridge during construction, with work areas separated from walkways, the city said. Kyunghyang Shinmun, Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun reported that passage will be fully banned during paving work from May to August next year, which Korea Economic Daily put at about three months. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
The city said a traffic impact analysis found that diverting Jamsu Bridge traffic to Banpo Bridge would cause only a slight fall in travel speeds. City buses 740 and 405 will run via Banpo Bridge in both directions, and the two Banpo Hangang Park·Sebitseom stops at the south end will close; passengers are directed to the nearby Banpo Bridge South End·Hangang Citizens' Park Entrance (반포대교남단·한강시민공원입구) stop. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
Im Chun-geun (임춘근), head of the city's Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, said turning the bridge over to pedestrians would make the Han River a place to experience and stay rather than just a passage to cross, and that the city would ensure pedestrian safety and traffic management during construction to minimise inconvenience. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
Jamsu Bridge opened in 1976 as a four-lane road bridge linking the north and south of the Han River. In 2008 two lanes were converted for pedestrians and cyclists. It sits closer to the water than other Han River bridges, giving close views of the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain (달빛무지개분수). Seoul Shinmun reported that the bridge was built about 2.7 metres above the water, partly so armoured units could cross quickly in an emergency, and that Banpo Bridge was built above it in 1982. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The bridge, opened in 1976 as a road crossing, will stop carrying vehicles for the first time in 50 years. The city says its traffic analysis shows only a slight drop in speeds as cars divert to Banpo Bridge, but two bus routes change and two bus stops close. Pedestrians and cyclists keep access during most of the works, though several outlets report a full closure during paving in May to August next year.
Key facts
- Vehicle traffic on Jamsu Bridge will be fully banned from 00:00 on 26 October, after this year's last Car-Free Jamsu Bridge festival. [ 1 , 4 , 8 ]
- The city plans to finish pedestrian deck expansion and paving by August 2027. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- The bridge will get 22 new viewing spaces and transparent decks at two shipping-channel sections. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- The underpass at the bridge's north end will be converted entirely into pedestrian space, improving access from Yongsan and Itaewon. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- City buses 740 and 405 will be rerouted over Banpo Bridge in both directions. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- Two Banpo Hangang Park·Sebitseom (반포한강공원·세빛섬) bus stops at the south end will close. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Jamsu Bridge opened in 1976; in 2008 two of its four lanes were converted for pedestrians and cyclists. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Vehicle traffic on Jamsu Bridge will be fully banned from 26 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- Construction is to be finished by August next year (2027). [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 9 ]
- 22 viewing spaces and transparent decks at two shipping-channel sections will be built. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- Buses 740 and 405 will be rerouted over Banpo Bridge. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- The city's traffic analysis expects only a slight fall in speeds from diverted traffic. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- Pedestrians and cyclists may keep using the bridge during construction. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Passage will be fully banned during paving from May to August next year. [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- How long pedestrians and cyclists will be shut out during the works. Kukmin Ilbo and Yonhap say access continues; Kyunghyang, Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun report a full ban during May–August paving, Korea Economic Daily calling it about three months, and Seoul Economic Daily mentions only unspecified exceptions.
- The exact date the bridge reopens as a pedestrian bridge. Outlets give completion by August 2027 or the second half of next year, with no opening date.
- The bridge's history as a low bridge built partly for military crossings. Reported only by Seoul Shinmun.
- Cost of the project. No document gives a budget.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Kukmin Ilbo reports the planned vehicle ban from 26 October. [ 1 ]
- Yonhap reports the Seoul city announcement. [ 2 ]
- Kyunghyang Shinmun reports a full closure during paving from May to August next year. [ 4 ]
- Korea Economic Daily reports the bridge becomes pedestrian-only in the second half of next year. [ 7 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the festival ends on 25 October before work begins. [ 9 ]