The "Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival" held last year. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
The "Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival" held last year. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

Jamsu Bridge in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, will be transformed into a pedestrian- and bicycle-only crossing for the first time since it opened 50 years ago.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that it will ban all vehicle traffic on the bridge starting at midnight on Oct. 26 and begin construction to turn it into the city's first dedicated pedestrian bridge over the Han River.

Jamsu Bridge has served as a vehicle crossing linking the north and south banks of the Han River since it opened in 1976. In 2008, two of its four lanes were converted into space for pedestrians and cyclists. More recently, events such as the Car-Free Jamsu Bridge Walking Festival have helped establish it as a cultural gathering spot where residents can enjoy the river.

The bridge also sits closer to the water's surface than other Han River crossings, offering unobstructed views of the river, the surrounding scenery and the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain.

The city plans to build on those qualities by turning Jamsu Bridge into a walking space where visitors can enjoy both the natural and cultural dimensions of the Han River. Construction on expanded pedestrian decking and paving is set to be completed by August next year, with the city aiming to have the space ready to host a variety of cultural events and festivals.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to continue using the bridge throughout construction. The city said it will designate separate lanes for workers and the public and take steps to ensure safe passage and minimize inconvenience to residents.

The redesigned bridge will feature 22 new riverside viewing spots offering closer views of the Han River. Two sections along shipping lanes will also receive transparent floor panels, allowing visitors to look down at the water flowing beneath their feet — an experience the city says no other Han River bridge currently offers. The vehicle lanes running through the underground road-and-pedestrian underpass at the bridge's northern end will also be fully cleared and converted into pedestrian space.

Access routes that have long been uncomfortable to walk due to vehicle exhaust, noise and narrow footpaths will be improved, making it easier and more pleasant to travel on foot from the Yongsan and Itaewon areas to the Han River.

The city said it expects the vehicle ban to have a limited impact on surrounding traffic. A traffic impact analysis found that even if vehicles divert to Banpo Bridge, travel speeds would decrease only slightly and overall traffic service levels would remain unchanged. The city plans to publicize detour routes and bus route changes in advance to minimize disruption. Bus routes 740 and 405, which previously crossed Jamsu Bridge, will be rerouted via Banpo Bridge in both directions. As a result, two bus stops at "Banpo Hangang Park·Saevit Island" on the southern end of the bridge will close, and passengers are advised to use the nearby "Banpo Bridge South·Han River Citizens' Park Entrance" stop instead.


min3654@heraldcorp.com