'Opening in 2029' Songdo 5-gyo Bridge Construction Accelerates... Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority Applies for Preliminary Feasibility Study

Scheduled Section of Songdo 5 Bridge [Provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is set to intensify preparations for the construction of Songdo 5-gyo (New Port Bridge), aiming for its opening in 2029. Songdo 5-gyo is the last unopened bridge among the eight bridges connecting downtown Incheon and Songdo International City.

On the 10th, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that it recently applied to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to have the Songdo 5-gyo construction project selected for a preliminary feasibility study.

Financial projects with a total cost exceeding 50 billion KRW and national funding support over 30 billion KRW must undergo a preliminary feasibility study to confirm economic viability before proceeding.

Songdo 5-gyo is a bridge to be constructed at the entrance of Incheon New Port in District 11 of Songdo International City, connecting the Namdong National Industrial Complex in Incheon. It will be 1 km long with four lanes in both directions, and the project cost is estimated at about 100 billion KRW.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to complete the feasibility study process by March next year if the Songdo 5-gyo construction project is selected for the preliminary feasibility study in May this year, proceed with basic and detailed designs, start construction in 2025, and complete it in 2029.

Currently, an average of about 14,000 vehicles per day, including containers and large freight trucks traveling on Incheon New Port Road, use a temporary bridge to pass through the planned section of Songdo 5-gyo.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority decided to promote the construction of the official bridge, Songdo 5-gyo, considering safety concerns from long-term use of the temporary bridge and future increases in port cargo volume.

The bridges connecting downtown Incheon and Songdo International City include Songdo 1-gyo (Songdo International Bridge), Songdo 2-gyo (Convensia Bridge), Songdo 3-gyo (Art Center Bridge), Songdo 4-gyo (Bio Industry Bridge), and Aam 1, 2, and 3 bridges, totaling seven bridges.

Designated as Korea's first Free Economic Zone in 2003, Songdo International City is being developed by reclaiming sea and tidal flats, covering an area of 53.4 km², which is 17 times the size of Yeouido in Seoul. As of the end of last year, Songdo's population was 192,580, and once development is complete, it is expected to house 265,000 residents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.