Gyeonggi Province Cancels Ilsan Bridge Operator Designation... Free Passage from Noon on the 27th

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province will implement free passage on the Ilsan Bridge from noon on the 27th, the only bridge among 28 Han River crossings that currently charges a toll.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 26th that it will implement a public interest disposition to cancel the operator designation of Ilsan Bridge Co., Ltd. effective from noon on the 27th.

The province also delivered notification of this matter to Ilsan Bridge Co., Ltd. on the 26th.

Once the operator designation is canceled, there will be no legal basis to collect tolls, making immediate free passage possible.

Accordingly, the province has decided to adjust the toll system for Ilsan Bridge traffic to 0 won from noon on the 27th.

Ilsan Bridge users will be able to pass through toll booths without stopping, just like crossing other Han River bridges.

The current toll on the Ilsan Bridge is 1,200 won based on passenger vehicles.

This free passage implementation is based on the public interest disposition. To prepare for any suspension of execution requests from the National Pension Service, the province's policy is to make the bridge 'permanently free regardless of the outcome of the provisional disposition litigation' through the method of 'partial advance payment of the total acquisition amount' until the final ruling is issued.

The province stated, "Even if a portion of the amount is paid in advance, the total acquisition amount remains unchanged, so no additional burden will occur."

Article 47 of the Private Investment Act stipulates that the operator designation may be canceled when necessary for efficient operation of social infrastructure and other public interests, and the Land Expropriation Commission determines fair compensation.

Lee Sung-hoon, director of Gyeonggi Province's Construction Bureau, said, "The Ilsan Bridge was originally a bridge that should have been constructed with tax funding, and it is fortunate that it has been made toll-free through public interest disposition, albeit belatedly. When the Ilsan Bridge becomes toll-free, in addition to toll savings for residents, there will be facility operation cost savings exceeding 200 billion won, approximately 300 billion won in social benefits from a 49% increase in traffic volume, and effects promoting linked development between adjacent cities," he added.