A new premium maritime bridge is set to open around Ganggu Port in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, which has suffered from severe traffic congestion every snow crab season.

North Gyeongsang Province announced that it will open the "Ganggu Bridge" on National Route 20 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22.

The area around the Yeongdeok Snow Crab Street has seen a surge in visitors since the opening of the Sangju-Yeongdeok Expressway in 2016. During peak seasons, an average of over 10,000 vehicles flocked daily, concentrating traffic on National Route 7 and coastal roads, causing inconvenience to both residents and visitors. 

North Gyeongsang Province broke ground in November 2021 and completed construction 4 years and 10 months later this year. With a total project cost of 51.6 billion won, a 1.5 km section (round-trip 2 lanes) was constructed, including a 527-meter maritime bridge. 

The opening of the Ganggu Maritime Bridge is expected to greatly improve traffic flow by dispersing traffic volumes. By directly connecting Samsa Maritime Park and the Yeongdeok Snow Crab Street, travel distance and time will be reduced, and accessibility between surrounding tourist attractions will improve, facilitating a smoother influx of tourists into nearby commercial districts. 

The Ganggu Maritime Bridge also focused on structural safety and harmony with the surrounding landscape. The main span of the bridge was secured to a long length of 117m to minimize the installation of piers on the sea, and observation spaces to enjoy the sunrise of the East Sea, night lighting, and symbolic sculptures were installed. The Korean Society of Steel Construction highly evaluated this design and selected it as the "Steel Structure of the Year 2026". 

Governor Lee Cheol-woo of North Gyeongsang Province stated, "The greatest significance of the opening of the Ganggu Maritime Bridge is that it relieves the traffic inconvenience that residents have endured for a long time," adding, "We will closely connect Yeongdeok's coastal tourism resources to support the effects of the opening leading to regional economic revitalization."

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