{{Short description|Bridge in Seoul, South Korea}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox Korean name/auto |hangul=^서강_대교 |hanja=西江大橋 }} {{Infobox bridge | bridge_name = Soegang Bridge | image = Seogang Bridge Seoul.jpg | caption = Soegang Bridge | official_name = 서강대교 (西江大橋) | also_known_as = Seogang Daegyo | crosses = Han River between Seoul Yeongdeungpo District and Mapo District | locale = Seoul Yeongdeungpo District to Mapo District | coordinates = {{coord|37|32|18.5|N|126|55|33.5|E|type:landmark_region:KR|display=inline,title}} | id= | begin = 7 June 1980 | design = steel plate girder bridge, Nielsen type arch bridge | lanes = 6 | mainspan=150m | length=1,320m | width=29m | height = 21m | carries = vehicles | open= {{start date and age|1996}}

}}

'''Seogang Bridge''' or '''Grand Seogang Bridge''' ({{langx|ko|서강대교}}) is a six-lane two-way bridge over the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. The bridge links the Mapo and Yeongdeungpo districts. It is supported in the middle as it passes over the protected islets<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Han River-Bamseom Islets {{!}} Ramsar Sites Information Service |url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2050 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=rsis.ramsar.org}}</ref> of Bamseom.

== History == Construction of Soegang Bridge began in 1980, but was halted after 1983. Construction resumed 10 years later in 1993, and the bridge opened at the end of 1996, absorbing traffic due to the partial closure of Yanghwa Bridge.{{fact|date=May 2026}}

It was initially designed as a cable-stayed bridge, but due to the financial problems of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the unsecured connection road, the construction was halted in 1983 with only 17 piers having been built. Later, due to the hosting of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, construction was no longer a budget priority and the partially constructed bridge was neglected for 10 years. It also earned the stigma of being called 'the hideous sight of Seoul and the monster of the Han River.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven years since Sogang Bridge construction was suspended|publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun|date= 7 August 1989|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1989080700329213002&edtNo=3&printCount=1&publishDate=1989-08-07&officeId=00032&pageNo=13&printNo=13497&publishType=00020|access-date=2024-03-26|language=ko}}</ref> Construction resumed in 1993 to relieve Seoul's traffic problems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Soegang Bridge construction resumes after 10 years|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1992122500329120005&editNo=15&printCount=1&publishDate=1992-12-25&officeId=00032&pageNo=20&printNo=14625&publishType=00010|publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun|date=25 December 1992|access-date=2024-03-26}}.</ref>

However, because the bridge was being built through Bamseom, there was opposition from environmental groups who were concerned that migratory birds would disappear, and the construction method was changed to reflect this. In the 150m section where Bamseom is located, it was decided to build a Nielsen arch bridge. The remaining sections were to be constructed using a continuous extrusion method that pushes out concrete boxes, and the Gangbuk section was to be constructed with a steel box bridge. Additionally, to protect migratory birds, construction was halted from April to June when migratory birds breed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1993091600329120007&editNo=15&printCount=1&publishDate=1993-09-16&officeId=00032&pageNo=20&printNo=14865&publishType=00010|title=Acceleration of the reconstruction of Soegang Bridge|publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun|date= 16 September 1993|access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref>

=== Timeline ===

* 7 June 1980 : Construction began<ref>"Construction of Soegang Bridge begins" . Donga Ilbo . 7 June 1980</ref> * 30 December 1996 : Yanghwa Bridge opened early due to some traffic restrictions. However, at that time, the northern end of Sogang Bridge was only accessible via Gangbyeonbuk-ro.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1996123000289126002&editNo=6&printCount=1&publishDate=1996-12-30&officeId=00028&pageNo=26&printNo=2765&publishType=00010|title=Soegang Bridge passage |publisher=The Hankyoreh |date= 30 December 1996|language=ko|access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref> * 30 April 1997 : A temporary bridge was installed connecting the northern end of Sogang Bridge and Sinchon Intersection ahead of the demolition of the old Yanghwa Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1997043000209135003&editNo=45&printCount=1&publishDate=1997-04-30&officeId=00020&pageNo=35&printNo=23523&publishType=00010|language=ko|title=The temporary bridge between the northern end of Sogang Bridge and Changcheon-ro opened today|publisher=The Dong-A Ilbo|date= 30 April 1997|access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref> * October 1998 : The access road to the northern end of Soegang Bridge opened, and the temporary bridge was demolished.<ref>{{cite web|title=Four of the eight lanes at the Sogang Bridge-Sinchon intersection will open early next month|publisher=The Dong-A Ilbo|date= 19 September 1998|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1998091900209116006&editNo=45&printCount=1&publishDate=1998-09-19&officeId=00020&pageNo=16&printNo=23991&publishType=00010|language=ko|access-date=2024-03-26}}</ref>

== Soegang Bridge and Bamseom Island == Soegang Bridge is a route that crosses Bamseom, a famous migratory bird destination.<ref name=":0" /> There is an arch-shaped structure built in this section, indicating that this is Bamseom.

In the early days of the opening of Soegang Bridge, it was pointed out that the Bamseom ecosystem was being damaged by noise and by exhaust from vehicles passing over Soegang Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1997102600329119001&editNo=45&printCount=1&publishDate=1997-10-26&officeId=00032&pageNo=19&printNo=16255&publishType=00010|title=Migratory birds are leaving Bam Island in the Han River due to noise and smoke from Sogang Bridge and Gangbyeonbuk-ro|publisher=Kyunghyang Shinmun |date= 26 October 1997|language=ko|access-date=2024-03-26}}.</ref>

== See also ==

* Bamseom * Yanghwa Bridge * 1988 Seoul Olympics

== Gallery == <gallery> Image:Yeouido Surroundings Map.png Image:2000년대_초반_서울소방_소방공무원(소방관)_활동_사진_한강풍경.jpg Image:Seogang Bridge and Bukhansan from Bamseom.jpg|Seogang Bridge and Bukhansan from Bamseom image:Frame beneath the Seogang Bridge.jpg|Frame of bridge </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist}}{{Han River bridges}}

Category:Bridges in Seoul Category:Yeouido Category:Mapo District