Bridge on the River Kwai in Changwon

Installation of Reinforced Glass on the Jeodo Bridge Floor Under Way

Construction to be Completed by the End of This Year, to Become a Tourist Attraction for Lovers

Jeodo Bridge, as known as Changwon’s Bridge on the River Kwai.

 

Concept art of Jeodo Bridge with reinforced glass on the floor.

 

 

Jeodo Island, Located in Gusan­myeon, Changwon, is home to Jeodo Bridge, otherwise known as Changwon’s Bridge on the River Kwai, frequently visited by lovers. The bridge, selected as the best tourist attraction in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do in 2012, is extremely popular among tourists. In order to further promote its outstanding tourism resources, the city is pushing for changes using new ideas. The city administration is executing a project for Jeodo Bridge, turning it into a “bridge over the ocean,” with a goal to complete the construction by the end of this year. After removing the concrete floor of the bridge at the center, the construction project aims to install eighty meters long and 1.2 meters wide reinforced glass in place. The construction began in August. The city looks to benchmark the transparent glass bridge in Hunan Province in China, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, in conducting this project of establishing a world-class skywalk. In addition, Changwon administration is developing more unique tourist sites to attract more visitors to the area. There are two parallel bridges that connect Bandong-ri, Gusan-myeon, Masanhappo-gu and Jeodo Island across the ocean. The older red steel bridge was built in 1987 is called Changwon’s Bridge on the River Kwai because of its similarity to the bridge in the movie. Some say that crossing the bridge while holding hands with a lover will consummate the love. Supporting the story, there are hundreds of locks hanging onto the railing on the bridge that lovers have placed to pledge their affection for each other. Changwon’s Bridge on the River Kwai was under consideration for removal due to safety issues caused by vehicle traffic and aging, but after the city administration decided to preserve it as a tourist site, it became a pedestrian-only bridge. Right next to the red steel bridge is the newer bridge featuring a two-lane road, built in 2004. The shape of the bridge is reminiscent of a seagull, which is the city bird of Changwon. The new bridge also hosts a beautiful night scenery, making it popular as a date course for lovers. Recent lighting replacement project at the newer bridge made it home to a magnificent symphony of lights at night.