Marmaray Tunnel Project Inauguration to Coincide with Turkish Republic Anniversary

One of the most challenging infrastructure projects in the world, the Marmaray Tunnel, a rail tunnel running under the Bosphorus Sea is continuing, despite setbacks and delays. The ambitious project is expected to be completed by October 2013, and will see a 76.3 km (48 mile) passenger metro link the continents of Asia and Europe under the Istanbul Strait.

Inauguration of the rail link is now expected to coincide with the 90th Anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

The Marmaray Project was first funded in 2004 and was expected to have been finished in 2009, but various difficulties and setbacks interfered with the construction, including the discovery of ancient Byzantine Empire relics, and concerns over seismic activity in the area.

The project has four major components: an underwater railway tunnel, upgrading and refurbishment of the Gebze-Haydarpasa and Sirkeci-Halkali suburban railway lines, electrical and mechanical aspects and procurement of rolling stock.

Binali Yildirim, Turkish Transportation Minister, said “The tunnel is going under a very historic area, so every piece of soil is examined by experts. Because of that, believe me, we lost five years.”

When the Marmaray Tunnel is completed, travel between Europe and Asia will take place in under two minutes on a modern, clean and efficient metro.