Construction has finally begun on the long-requested Han River Connecting Footbridge in Misa Gangbyeon City, Hanam, marking the beginning of a new era of accessibility to the Han River for local residents.
Residents of Misa Gangbyeon City in Hanam have long awaited the construction of the 'Han River Connecting Footbridge' which officially began on the 11th of this month, signaling the onset of better connectivity to the Han River region. The footbridge will span 105 meters in length and 5.6 meters in width, crossing over the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, and will link to a riverside walking path in Hanam City. The project is fully funded by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) at a cost of 13.3 billion KRW.
The construction will eliminate a significant barrier that has kept residents from easily accessing Han River parks due to the physical obstruction of the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway. Once completed, citizens will be able to safely cross the road, allowing for easier pedestrian and cycling access to the recreational area. Discussions regarding the passage to connect to the Han River Park have been ongoing since 2018, facing delays primarily due to issues related to relocating gas pipelines and coordinating with various responsible agencies.
After conducting thorough consultations with residents in 2023, Hanam City and LH finalized the construction plan for the footbridge. This followed an extensive series of negotiations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Han River Basin Environmental Office, culminating in the completion of the administrative procedures needed for the project last year. This project represents an important step forward for enhancing access to natural spaces for the community.
