Changwon Mayor-Elect Kang Ki-yun Pushes for Full Toll Abolition on Machang Bridge

Kang Ki-yun, the mayor-elect of Changwon, has pledged to fully abolish tolls on the Machang Bridge immediately after taking office. The Machang Bridge is a 1.7km sea bridge connecting Seongsan-gu and Masanhappo-gu in Changwon, with a one-way toll of 2,500 won for small vehicles.

Kang Ki-yun's camp stated that fully abolishing Machang Bridge tolls immediately after taking office may be difficult and that the pledge will be refined through the transition committee. In reality, the daily traffic volume on Machang Bridge is 47,000 vehicles, more than 30% higher than Kang Ki-yun's camp calculated, which could increase the financial burden.

Gyeongnam Province and Changwon City are already investing 10 billion won annually in commuter discounts and financial support, leading to calls that there is insufficient justification for additional contributions. There is also uncertainty regarding any guarantee that Gyeongnam Province will share additional substantial costs. The argument is that there is insufficient justification to provide massive additional funding solely to Machang Bridge due to the issue of compensating for deficits on other private roads such as Geoga Bridge.

On the 25th, Kang presided over a 'Report on the Implementation Plan for the 9th Popular Election Pledges,' initiating a review of 86 pledges. Complex administrative procedures remain, including renegotiating operating agreements with the private operator and securing budget approval from the provincial council. Kang's camp acknowledges these practical constraints and has indicated that the full abolition of Machang Bridge tolls immediately after taking office is unlikely to be easy.