Incheon-si and Siheung-si Re-negotiate Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment of Baegot Bridge Amid 'Environmental Damage Controversy'

Agreed to Develop Improvement Plans Through the '4-Party Consultative Body'

Incheon City and Siheung City in Gyeonggi Province are joining forces to resolve the construction issue of the Baegot Bridge, which has faced difficulties due to environmental damage controversies.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on the 9th that it will pursue renegotiations with Siheung City regarding the 'Baegot Bridge Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment,' which the Ministry of Environment had rejected.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority explained that Siheung City recently agreed on the plan to designate the Siheung tidal flat wetland area as a substitute for the Songdo tidal flat wetland area, which would be damaged by the construction of the Baegot Bridge.

Despite opposition from the Ministry of Environment and environmental groups, both sides view the Baegot Bridge construction project as a feasible solution to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in the Aam-daero and Je3 Gyeongin Expressway Jeongwang IC sections.

In particular, the construction of the Baegot Bridge connecting Songdo International City and Siheung Baegot District is expected to significantly contribute to attracting investment and improving the residential environment in the two free economic zones.

Both parties plan to operate a four-party consultative body involving Incheon City, Gyeonggi Province, and the two free economic zone authorities to minimize environmental damage caused by the bridge construction and continuously negotiate with the Ministry of Environment to promote the project as a national initiative.

Kim Jin-yong, head of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, said, "Looking at domestic and international cases of marine bridges, construction is possible while protecting tidal flats," adding, "We will build the Baegot Bridge in harmony with the environment to reduce inconvenience for residents of both cities and promote regional development."

Earlier, in December last year, Kim met with Siheung Mayor Im Byung-taek and expressed support for the Baegot Bridge construction, stating, "Residents of Songdo support the construction of the Baegot Bridge. It is a necessary project to alleviate traffic congestion on Aam-daero and promote mutual growth between the two regions."

Aerial View of Begot Bridge

The Baegot Bridge project involves Siheung City investing 190.4 billion KRW of private capital to build a 1.89 km long, four-lane marine bridge connecting Siheung Baegot New Town and Incheon Yeonsu-gu Songdo International City.

However, nearly half of the marine space under the Baegot Bridge, approximately 21,152㎡, is planned to pass through the Songdo tidal flats, designated as a Ramsar wetland, causing conflicts between Siheung City and environmental groups. Environmental organizations in Incheon, including the Songdo Wetland Protection Area and Ramsar Wetland Conservation Measures Committee, are also demanding the withdrawal of the project plan.

The Hangang River Basin Environmental Office notified Siheung City in December 2021 to reconsider the project, and Siheung City filed an administrative appeal against this decision. However, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission dismissed the appeal in January this year.

Siheung City plans to revise the project plan by preparing measures such as minimizing wetland damage and creating substitute wetlands, and then renegotiate the project promotion with the Environmental Office.

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