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Governor Kim Jin‑tae of Gangwon Province visited the planned construction site for the Seomyeon Bridge on Local Route 70 on March 24 to review the basic design and the project’s next steps.
The Seomyeon Bridge will span 1.23 km (0.77 mi), linking Hajungdo in Chuncheon with Geumsan‑ri in Seomyeon. After the Ministry of Economy and Finance approved a feasibility re‑review in June 2024 and the initial bidding failed, the provincial government consulted the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, accounted for inflation, and raised the total project budget from 116.5 billion KRW (≈ $87.38 million USD) by 3.1 billion KRW (≈ $2.33 million USD) to 119.6 billion KRW (≈ $89.70 million USD).
This inspection followed the Public Procurement Service’s eligibility review of the basic design submitted by preferred bidder Dongbu Construction, which passed on the 17th and finalized the project outline. Officials held the site visit to review progress and press for timely completion.
When the Seomyeon Bridge opens, the driving distance from Seomyeon to downtown Chuncheon will fall from 9.7 km (6.03 mi) to 3.6 km (2.24 mi), and travel time will drop from 17 minutes to 7 minutes. Authorities expect the bridge to relieve downtown traffic and improve access, and—together with the Second Gyeongchun National Road and the Anbo–Yongsan national road bypass—serve as a key gateway into Chuncheon as the city deepens its connections with the Seoul metropolitan area.
Officials plan to begin priority construction work and the detailed design phase this April, break ground in December, and target completion by December 2029.
They also plan to select a developer and start work on the Second Gyeongchun National Road in the first half of this year, targeting completion in 2032. The Anbo–Yongsan bypass and the Bukbang–Dongnae road expansion are being considered for inclusion in the sixth national and local road construction plan by the second half of the year.
Rep. Han Ki‑ho (Chuncheon–Cheorwon–Hwacheon–Yanggu B) said he will work to secure the necessary funds for 2027–2029 and ensure those budgets are reflected without disruption.
The head of Gumsan 3‑ri in Seomyeon said he is pleased the project will begin in earnest this year. He said residents expect to reach downtown in about five minutes, which will significantly improve daily life, and local merchants share that optimism.
Governor Kim emphasized that the bridge will reconnect a stretch that was cut off 62 years ago following construction of the Uiam Dam. He said the Seomyeon Bridge will not only crown Chuncheon’s urban planning efforts but also become a new gateway opening the city to the Seoul metropolitan area.
He noted that, despite setbacks after securing national funding—including failed bids—raising the total project budget has put the project back on track.
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