| Bridge Name: | Banpo Bridge | ||||||||
| Native Name: | 반포대교 | ||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | Korean | ||||||||
| Crosses: | Han River | ||||||||
| Locale: | Seoul, South Korea | ||||||||
| Maint: | Seoul Metropolitan Hangang Project Headquarters | ||||||||
| Engineering: | Dae Han Consultants Company, Ltd. | ||||||||
| Length: | 1495m (4,905feet)[1] | ||||||||
| Width: | 25m (82feet) | ||||||||
| Builder: | Byucksan Engineering & Construction Company, Ltd.[2] | ||||||||
| Begin: | January 11, 1980 | ||||||||
| Complete: | June 25, 1982 | ||||||||
| Traffic: | 103,925 (2009)[3] | ||||||||
| Preceded: | Hannam Bridge | ||||||||
| Followed: | Dongjak Bridge | ||||||||
| Embedded: |
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The Banpo Bridge is a major bridge for vehicular traffic over the Han River in central Seoul, South Korea. It is a double-decked bridge, and is above the pedestrian Jamsu Bridge.[4]
The bridge is a popular tourist attraction, and is known for its daily Moonlight Rainbow Fountain and light shows between April and October., the bridge holds the Guinness World Record for longest fountain bridge in the world.[5] It is centrally located in Seoul, and accessible via public transportation.
The bridge is situated over the Han River, and connects Seobinggo-dong in Yongsan District with Banpo-dong in Seocho District. It is 25m (82feet) wide and 1495m (4,905feet) long.
The bridge is intended for vehicular traffic. It is the first double deck bridge built in South Korea. It is also a major landmark of the city and attracts both locals and tourists.[6]
Since April 2009, the bridge has had a fountain off its west side called Moonlight Rainbow Fountain . On November 7, 2008, the bridge was awarded the Guinness World Record for longest fountain bridge in the world. The bridge has 38 water pumps and 380 nozzles installed. It also has speakers, lights, and projectors.
Five to six times per day from April to October, the fountain has a 20 minute water and light show. This occurs only if there is good weather. It has projectors that can display images on the water.[7] [8] The show is set to music that includes various popular South Korean and international songs. The set list is available online.
Beneath Banpo Bridge is the pedestrian Jamsu Bridge. It is 18m (59feet) wide and 795m (2,608feet) long. During periods of high rainfall, the Jamsu Bridge is designed to submerge as the water level of the river rises, as the lower deck lies close to the waterline.
It often hosts cultural events such as a yearly fall market with live music and food trucks.
The lower Jamsu Bridge was completed in 1979, before Banpo Bridge. Banpo Bridge began construction on August 11, 1980 and was completed on November 1982.[9] It cost W22 billion to build (US$20 million). Its construction was intended to reduce traffic load on the Hangang Bridge.
Jamsu Bridge was made into an elevated arch shape in 1986, in order to accommodate tourist cruise ships passing underneath it.
The bridge went under repairs from December 30, 1994 to June 30, 1996. It underwent more repairs from December 1998 to 2002. From October 2003 and 2005, it was repaved.