Gwangan Bridge, Suspension bridge in Busan, South Korea.
Gwangan Bridge is a two-level suspension bridge linking Suyeong District's Namcheon-dong with Haeundae District's Centum City in Busan. Its white A-shaped towers rise from rectangular concrete bases in the water, carrying cables that support a deck with a white steel truss beneath. The upper level runs toward Namcheon-dong and the lower level toward Haeundae, each direction using a separate level.
Construction of the bridge began in December 1994 and was finished in December 2002, at a cost of 789.9 billion won. It opened temporarily from 29 September to 14 October 2002 for the Busan Asian Games, then officially opened on 6 January 2003. Tolls began on 21 March 2003, and in 2007 it was designated a motor-vehicle-only road.
The bridge has become a popular gathering place for locals and visitors, especially during the annual fireworks festival when crowds line the nearby beaches and waterfront. It serves as a recognizable symbol of the city and shapes how people experience Busan's harbor.
The bridge is a toll road and a motorway: pedestrians, bicycles and most motorcycles are barred, so cross it by car or bus. The upper deck runs from Haeundae to Suyeong, the lower deck the other way. Tolls are collected until May 2028, with a 20% discount at busy times and 50% for Hi-pass users during weekday rush hours.
The bridge's lighting can produce more than 100,000 colours, and the structure has appeared in films including Black Panther and Haeundae, as well as several Korean dramas. A walking event is held on the bridge every year.
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