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Busan Launches Construction of Eomgung Bridge Project with Groundbreaking Ceremony

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Eomgung Bridge Construction Project at 11:00 a.m. today (June 30) at the Eomgung Retention Basin in Sasang-gu.

The event will be attended by over 300 people, including Mayor Park Heong-joon; National Assembly members Kim Do-eup and Kim Dae-sik; Lee Jong-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Busan Metropolitan Council; other City Council members; district and local council members; and community residents, all gathered to celebrate the commencement of the Eomgung Bridge construction.

The 40-minute ceremony will include the national pledge, introduction of distinguished guests, a project progress report, commemorative speeches, congratulatory remarks, and a groundbreaking performance.

The Eomgung Bridge Construction Project involves building a 2.91-kilometer-long, 6- to 8-lane road stretching from Daejeo 2-dong in Gangseo-gu (Eco Delta City) to Eomgung-dong in Sasang-gu (Seunghak Tunnel). The project includes the construction of two bridges—Eomgung Bridge and Maekdo Bridge—crossing the Nakdong River, as well as two interchanges.

Eomgung Bridge Construction Project Overview

• ●Section: Daejeo 2-dong, Gangseo-gu (Eco Delta City) – Eomgung-dong, Sasang-gu (Seunghak Tunnel)

• ●Scale: Length: 2.91 km; Width: 24.5–33.5 meters; Lanes: 6 to 8 lanes

• ●Total Project Cost: KRW 344.4 billion (National: 155 billion, City: 189.4 billion)

• ●Project Period: 2020–2030

The city has been pursuing the Eomgung Bridge project since 2014 to alleviate congestion on existing Nakdong River crossings and to build a road network to meet increasing transportation demand in western Busan. While coordination with relevant agencies faced difficulties—especially concerning potential environmental impacts of constructing a new river-crossing bridge—the city has now completed all major administrative procedures, paving the way for full-scale construction starting with this groundbreaking ceremony.

In October 2014, the city established the “Eco Delta City Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan,” and selected the preferred contractor in December 2020 to begin detailed design. However, the project stalled in December 2021 when the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office under the Ministry of Environment rejected the small-scale environmental impact assessment (citing the need to supplement studies on winter migratory birds and mitigation measures).

In response, the city reviewed and revised the project plan, incorporating feedback from residents and experts. It successfully developed a revised small-scale environmental impact assessment addressing the expanded habitat and activities of winter migratory birds, which was finalized in September 2024.

The city then received “Heritage Impact Change Approval” from the National Heritage Administration in October 2024 and secured the river use permit for the Nakdong River in June 2025. With these steps, all administrative procedures for project implementation have been completed.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to proceed meticulously with the project until its scheduled completion in 2030. During construction, the city will continue close communication and coordination with relevant agencies, experts, and environmental groups to ensure the bridge is built in harmony with nature.

Mayor Park Heong-joon remarked, “Eomgung Bridge will not only alleviate traffic congestion on existing Nakdong River bridges but also serve as critical infrastructure to support balanced regional development and strengthen connections to new growth hubs such as Eco Delta City.”

He added, “The western region of Busan is emerging as a central growth axis, with major projects like Eco Delta City and Gadeokdo New Airport. Eomgung Bridge will become a vital link connecting these strategic points. We will do our utmost to ensure smooth implementation and safe, convenient use by our citizens upon completion.”