22 April 2013
The Istanbul Strait Road Tunnel Crossing project in Turkey has secured the final funding and approvals needed to get the scheme moving into the full construction phase.
The 5.4-km tunnel will connect the European side of the historic Bosporus Strait with the motorway network on the Asian side, and will ease traffic congestion on the existing bridges.
It’s due to open to traffic in 2017.
The tunnel will connect the European side of the strait with the motorway network on the Asian side.
Arup has been working as the lenders’ technical adviser on the proposed tunnel since 2009 when concessionaire, Avrasya Tuneli, was appointed preferred bidder.
"The road tunnel will bring tremendous benefits right in the heart of Istanbul, easing congestion and reinforcing trade links, so it is great that we now have all the key elements in place to get the works started," said Koray Etöz, Arup director.
The project also includes the construction of 10km of access roads, two toll plazas and the operations buildings for the tunnel.
