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

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province will implement free passage for Ilsan Bridge, the only bridge among 28 Hangang bridges that charges tolls, starting from noon on the 27th.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 26th that it will implement a public-interest measure to cancel the operator designation for Ilsan Bridge Co., Ltd. starting at noon on the 27th.

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

When the operator designation is cancelled, the basis for collecting tolls disappears, enabling immediate free passage.

Accordingly, the province decided to adjust all toll collection systems for vehicles using Ilsan Bridge to 0 won starting at noon on the 27th.

Vehicles using Ilsan Bridge can pass through toll booths without stopping, just like passing through other Hangang bridges.

The toll for Ilsan Bridge is currently 1,200 won for passenger cars.

This free passage is in accordance with the public-interest measure, and the province, in preparation for requests for suspension of execution from the National Pension Service and other matters, plans to 'permanently provide free passage regardless of the result of provisional disposition litigation' through a method of 'advance payment of a portion of the total acquisition amount' until the final judgment is rendered.

The province stated, "Even if a partial 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 can be cancelled if necessary for efficient operation of social infrastructure and public interest, and that the Land Expropriation Committee shall determine an appropriate compensation amount for any losses.

Lee Sung-hoon, Director of the Construction Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Ilsan Bridge is a bridge that should have been constructed with tax funding from the outset, and it is fortunate that we are providing free passage through a public-interest measure, even if late," and added, "When Ilsan Bridge becomes free, in addition to the toll reduction effect for residents, there will be a facility operation cost reduction effect of over 200 billion won, a social benefits effect of approximately 300 billion won resulting from a 49% increase in traffic volume, and effects of promoting linked development between adjacent cities."