Incheon Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Incheon Bridge is a newly-constructed bridge
in South Korea
. At its opening in October 2009, it became the second connection between Yeongjong Island
and the mainland of Incheon
. The Incheon Bridge is South Korea's longest spanning cable-stayed bridge
. In comparison, the Incheon Bridge is the world's seventh longest cable-stayed bridge as of October 2010.
The main purpose of the bridge is to provide direct access between Songdo and Incheon International Airport
, reducing travel time between them by up to one hour.
The sea crossing bridge section, whose concessionaire is Incheon Bridge Corporation, is funded by the private sector.
Korea Expressway Corporation and the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) managed the project.
. Additional contractors that contributed to the construction of the bridge were Halcrow
, Dasan Consultants, and Arup
. Total costs exceeded $1.4 billion (~1.25 trillion KRW) to build. The 21.38 kilometres (13.3 mi) long highway project consisted of government-built sections at three ends and a 12.34 kilometres (7.7 mi) section in the middle built with private capital, the bridge section is 18384 metres (60,315 ft) long. The bridge has a cable stayed section over the main sea route to Incheon port. This was the most difficult part to construct, with a main tower 230.5 metres (756.2 ft) high, vertical clearance of 74 m (243 ft), and five spans: a centre span of 800 m (2,625 ft) flanked on either side by spans of 260 m (853 ft) and 80 m (262 ft). Adjacent to the center section are approach spans consisting of a series of 150 m (492 ft) balanced cantilever spans. Lower level viaducts consisting of 50 m (164 ft) spans connect to land at each end of the bridge.
region, a seismic design of the substructure was adopted.
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. At its opening in October 2009, it became the second connection between Yeongjong Island
Yeongjong Island
Yeongjong Island is an island off the west coast of the city of Incheon, South Korea. The previously separate Yongyu, Sammok, and Sinbul Islands have been joined to Yeongjong Island by an area of reclaimed land built for the construction of Incheon International Airport...
and the mainland of Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
. The Incheon Bridge is South Korea's longest spanning cable-stayed bridge
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
. In comparison, the Incheon Bridge is the world's seventh longest cable-stayed bridge as of October 2010.
The main purpose of the bridge is to provide direct access between Songdo and Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport
Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea, the primary airport serving the Seoul national capital area, and one of the largest and busiest airports in the world...
, reducing travel time between them by up to one hour.
The sea crossing bridge section, whose concessionaire is Incheon Bridge Corporation, is funded by the private sector.
Korea Expressway Corporation and the Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) managed the project.
Construction
The main design and build contractor was Samsung C&T CorporationSamsung C&T Corporation
Samsung C&T Corporation , established in 1938, is the origin of Samsung Group and currently consists of Engineering & Construction Group and Trading & Investment Group...
. Additional contractors that contributed to the construction of the bridge were Halcrow
Halcrow Group Limited
Halcrow Group Limited is an engineering consultancy company, based in the United Kingdom.Halcrow is one of the UK's leading consultancies, with a pedigree stretching back to 1868. The UK-based consultancy specialises in the provision of planning, design and management services for infrastructure...
, Dasan Consultants, and Arup
Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom which provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment. The firm is present in Africa, the Americas, Australasia, East Asia, Europe and the...
. Total costs exceeded $1.4 billion (~1.25 trillion KRW) to build. The 21.38 kilometres (13.3 mi) long highway project consisted of government-built sections at three ends and a 12.34 kilometres (7.7 mi) section in the middle built with private capital, the bridge section is 18384 metres (60,315 ft) long. The bridge has a cable stayed section over the main sea route to Incheon port. This was the most difficult part to construct, with a main tower 230.5 metres (756.2 ft) high, vertical clearance of 74 m (243 ft), and five spans: a centre span of 800 m (2,625 ft) flanked on either side by spans of 260 m (853 ft) and 80 m (262 ft). Adjacent to the center section are approach spans consisting of a series of 150 m (492 ft) balanced cantilever spans. Lower level viaducts consisting of 50 m (164 ft) spans connect to land at each end of the bridge.
Design
Because the bridge is situated in a known seismically-activeEarthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
region, a seismic design of the substructure was adopted.