Hadong County's Namdo Second Bridge Project Wins Conditional Approval in Central Investment Review

Total project cost of 33.1 billion won... Construction of a 300-meter bridge across the Seomjingang River and two connecting roads
Construction to begin in the first half of 2027 and be completed in 2030... Funding to be shared among relevant organizations
Improved travel between Hadong and Gwangyang and reduced traffic during peak tourism season expected

The Namdo Second Bridge construction project connecting Hadong County and Gwangyang City in South Gyeongsang Province has received conditional approval in the central investment review for local government finances, paving the way for follow-up administrative procedures.

Hadong County said on October 20 that the Namdo Second Bridge construction project, being jointly pursued with Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, and Gwangyang City, received conditional approval in the third 2026 central investment review for local government finances.

[Photo provided by Hadong County] Hadong County has received conditional approval in the central investment review of local government finances for the Namdo 2nd Bridge construction project, which will connect Hadong and Gwangyang across the Seomjingang River, and will begin subsequent administrative procedures. The photo shows Hadong County Office.

The Namdo Second Bridge construction project aims to improve transportation access between Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province and Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province, which are separated by the Seomjingang River, and facilitate travel between the areas for daily life, tourism, and logistics.

Its main objectives are to reduce the inconvenience for residents who have to take detours to use existing bridges and to expand the transportation network connecting the areas on both sides of the Seomjingang River.

The project involves building one 300-meter-long, 13.5-meter-wide bridge across the Seomjingang River and two connecting roads.

The total project cost is 33.1 billion won. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will contribute 9.9 billion won, Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City will each contribute 3.5 billion won, and Hadong County and Gwangyang City will each contribute 8.1 billion won.

Following the conditional approval in the central investment review, Hadong County plans to review the conditions and draw up an implementation plan.

In particular, as the project’s implementing agency, the county plans to coordinate funding arrangements and administrative procedures with relevant organizations, while proceeding with the remaining permit and approval processes and preparations for awarding the project contract.

The county is carrying out follow-up procedures with the goal of starting construction in the first half of 2027. If the project proceeds as planned, it is targeting completion in 2030.

Once the Namdo Second Bridge is built, travel distances for residents going between Hadong County and Gwangyang City will be reduced, and accessibility between the areas is expected to improve.

Improved transportation convenience is also expected to benefit tourism.

In particular, the new route for tourists visiting the Hwagae Cherry Blossom Festival in spring and the cherry blossom road along the Seomjingang River is expected to help spread out vehicle traffic during the peak tourism season.

Along with the bridge construction, Hadong County also plans to consider ways to expand tourism routes connecting Hwagae Market, local tea fields, and tourist attractions around the Seomjingang River.

The county intends to link these routes with extended-stay tourism, enabling visitors to patronize local restaurants and lodging facilities after visiting major attractions.

However, the central investment review granted only conditional approval, and further steps remain before construction can begin, including meeting the review conditions, obtaining relevant permits and approvals, and securing funding.

Hadong County plans to continue coordinating with relevant organizations, carry out the administrative procedures required for the project, and move forward with the Namdo Second Bridge construction project according to schedule.

The Namdo Second Bridge construction project is significant because it aims to make travel between Hadong and Gwangyang, which are separated by the Seomjingang River, more convenient and expand the tourism transportation network.

However, it will be important to secure funding and complete the permitting and approval processes without delay following the conditional approval in the central investment review. The project’s actual impact on dispersing traffic and the local economy will also need to be assessed in detail.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.