Table of Contents
- Nakdong Bridge's opening schedule extended to the first half of next year due to enhanced disaster response
- The long-awaited project in Eastern Gyeongnam ‘Nakdong Bridge’ is at 80% completion
- Strengthened disaster response standards after the Osong disaster are a variable
- National Highway 60 is expected to complete the connection between Yangsan and Gimhae
- With the expectations of local residents, “the goal is to open in the first half of next year”
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Nakdong Bridge's opening schedule extended to the first half of next year due to enhanced disaster response
The opening of Nakdong Bridge on National Highway 60, which connects Yangsan's Mulgeum New Town and Gimhae's Sangdong-myeon, has been postponed to the first half of 2026. Gyeongsangnam-do had originally planned to open it in September, before Chuseok, but it has been confirmed that the schedule has been delayed due to the strengthening of disaster response standards and construction delays.
As a result of this schedule change, only the 2.8 km section of Nakdong Bridge out of the 9.74 km stretch from Yangsan Yusan-dong to Gimhae Sangdong-myeon Mary will be postponed to the first half of next year, while the remaining sections of the road are expected to be opened first within this year. Therefore, it is anticipated that the traffic convenience of the route will be improved promptly.
The long-awaited project in Eastern Gyeongnam ‘Nakdong Bridge’ is at 80% completion
Nakdong Bridge is a long-awaited bridge in the Eastern Gyeongnam area, connecting the Nakdong River through an important road. This bridge is the only route that directly connects Yangsan's Mulgeum New Town with Gimhae's Sangdong-myeon, and once opened, it is expected to reduce travel time from Yangsan to Gimhae by about 10 minutes.
However, the current progress of construction is about 80%, and the installation of the bridge deck and the temporary bridge setup work are delayed. In particular, heavy rains that occurred consecutively last year and this year have restricted the installation of the temporary bridge due to the disaster response period (May 15 to October 15), causing continuous delays in the construction schedule. This has heightened the expectations of local residents.
Strengthened disaster response standards after the Osong disaster are a variable
The main background for the construction delays is the strengthened disaster response guidelines following the Osong underpass disaster. The government has designated the period from May to October as the disaster response period, collaborating with local governments to mandate a halt and safety inspection of high-risk processes, such as the installation of temporary bridges or bridge substructures, during this time.
As a result, the Nakdong Bridge construction was halted for five months after the demolition of the temporary bridge in May last year, and even though reinstallation work began in May this year, it was again demolished in July due to heavy rain.
It is ultimately expected that deck work will resume only after the disaster response period ends on October 15. This situation is significantly affecting the construction schedule, and the progress will be closely monitored going forward.
National Highway 60 is expected to complete the connection between Yangsan and Gimhae
National Highway 60 stretches 9.74 km from Yangsan Yusan-dong to Gimhae Sangdong-myeon Mary. Once this road connects with Sangdong IC, the integration of living and industrial areas between Yangsan's Mulgeum New Town and the eastern part of Gimhae is expected to accelerate further.
In particular, with the opening of Nakdong Bridge, traffic congestion for commuting between Yangsan and Gimhae is expected to decrease. Additionally, the logistics efficiency of industrial complexes in the Mulgeum and Sangdong area is expected to improve, and the commercial area between Gimhae and Yangsan is also expected to be invigorated.
With the expectations of local residents, “the goal is to open in the first half of next year”
A Gyeongsangnam-do official stated, “We are proceeding with construction while prioritizing safety in accordance with disaster response guidelines.” He added, “We will do our best to fully open all sections, including the Nakdong Bridge section, in the first half of next year.”
Once Nakdong Bridge opens, all sections of National Highway 60 will be completed, greatly enhancing the efficiency of the southeastern transportation network connecting Yangsan, Gimhae, and Busan. This is expected to provide a better transportation environment for local residents and travelers.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Why was the opening of Nakdong Bridge postponed to the first half of next year?
The opening schedule was postponed to the first half of next year due to strengthened disaster response standards and construction delays.
The Nakdong Bridge construction has been delayed due to the strengthened disaster response standards affecting the installation of temporary bridges and bridge deck work. In particular, after the Osong disaster, the government mandated the halt of high-risk construction during the disaster response period (May 15 - October 15), preventing the construction from proceeding as planned. Therefore, the originally scheduled opening in September 2025 has been pushed to the first half of next year.
Q. What is the construction progress of the Nakdong Bridge included in National Highway 60?
The completion rate of Nakdong Bridge is about 80%, with delays in deck and temporary bridge work.
Currently, the Nakdong Bridge construction is about 80% complete, with the installation of the bridge deck and temporary bridge work delayed due to heavy rain and restrictions during the disaster response period. While reinstallation work began in May this year, it was again demolished in July due to the rainy season, and the work has been pushed back until after October.
Q. What traffic benefits will there be when the Nakdong Bridge opens?
Travel time between Yangsan and Gimhae will be reduced by about 10 minutes, contributing to alleviating traffic congestion.
Nakdong Bridge is the only bridge that directly connects Yangsan's Mulgeum New Town and Gimhae's Sangdong-myeon. Once it opens, travel time from Yangsan to Gimhae is expected to be reduced by about 10 minutes, and traffic congestion during commutes is also expected to improve. Additionally, it is likely to positively impact the logistics efficiency of industrial complexes and invigorate local commercial areas.
Q. What is the position of Gyeongsangnam-do regarding the Nakdong Bridge opening plan after the first half of next year?
They stated that disaster response is the top priority and they will do their best to achieve full opening in the first half of next year.
A Gyeongsangnam-do official stated that they are proceeding with construction while ensuring safety according to disaster response guidelines. They aim to fully open National Highway 60, including the Nakdong Bridge, in the first half of next year, with a focus on increasing efficiency in local transportation networks.