Since the turn of the 21st century, Turkey has made substantial investments in ambitious infrastructure projects, and that trend is going to continue beyond 2018. In the past decade and a half alone, the Middle Eastern country has spent nearly $100 billion to construct new roadways, tunnels, airports, bridges, and railways in an effort to advance its status as an international trade partner.
Recent developments that have made travel throughout the country much easier include the Marmaray tunnel, Istanbul’s Metrobus system, and improved roadways and railways. In 2017, the Turkish government announced it was dedicating an additional $64 billion to complete 3,500 infrastructure projects, including the following four transportation-related projects.
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Istanbul New Airport
Expected to be the world’s largest airport upon its completion, the Istanbul New Airport (INA) is also one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects ever. Located 35 kilometers outside of the center of Istanbul, the project is valued at an estimated $12.8 billion. Construction has been going at a rapid pace, with more than 31,000 people working to build the airport.
Construction began in 2015 and, as of February 2018, 78 percent of the airport was constructed. Yusuf Akçayoğlu, CEO of İGA Airports Construction, which is overseeing construction of the project, said that soil moving, designing, manufacturing, and mobilization all took place simultaneously with the laying of the foundation. Additionally, the project’s entire team was assembled within three months of the start of construction.
It will be operational this year, with Ataturk Airport operations transitioning to INA in October. However, construction is expected to continue until 2028, at which point the airport will serve as the transportation hub of a world-class aerotropolis that also features office buildings, mosques, hotels, and medical and conference centers. While the mega project has required billions of dollars in funding, it is expected to provide 150,000 indirect jobs, contribute upwards of $7 billion to Turkey’s tourism sector, and make a contribution of nearly 5 percent to the national income per capita.
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Kanal Istanbul
Construction on another mega project, Kanal Istanbul, is just beginning. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had spoken about his desires for the large-scale project in the past as part of his Vision 2023 plan, but confirmed the country was moving ahead with plans in October 2017.
The 45-kilometer long canal will link the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea through Turkey’s capital city. While the government has not yet given estimates on cost or a completion date, local press has reported it could cost upwards of $17 billion and take five years to finish.
Deputy Mayor of Istanbul, Mehmet Ceylan, stressed the canal would create new business opportunities and quality residential areas for its growing population. However, the project has had its share of opponents, who claim it could potentially damage water quality.
According to Ceylan, a great number of large cities find transportation problems and the issue of pollution challenging. In addition, he argues it is no longer enough for cities to simply meet basic needs. While it is important for cities to retain their cultural heritage, it is also vital to supplement that heritage with new, smart infrastructure. Mega projects are driving metropolitan growth, bringing new businesses and living spaces.
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Grand Istanbul Tunnel
Another ambitious infrastructure project, construction of which is expected to begin in 2018, is the three-story Grand Istanbul Tunnel. Upon completion, it will significantly shorten travel time from the European to the Asian side of the capital city. It will feature a dual motorway for automobile transport and a new metro line that will be integrated with nine already-established urban train systems used by more than 6.5 million people per day.
Design plans include a rail system reaching underground from İncirli, stretching under the sea from Mecidiyeköy and Zincirlikuyu, and connecting to the Kadıköy-Kartal metro line. It will also go underground from Hasdal on the European side and exit from Çamlik. The sub-sea tunnel is expected to cost $3.5 billion and be completed by 2023.
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Çanakkale 1915 Bridge
In March 2017, President Erdoğan attended a ground-laying ceremony for the Çanakkale 1915 Bridge. Exactly one year later, a ceremony was held for the laying of the tower foundation and piling of the bridge. Expected to be operational by 2023, the three-kilometer bridge will connect Europe and Asia in a seventh location.
Once completed, it will surpass the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan as the longest suspension bridge in the world. It will include a six-lane divided highway, four roadside facilities, six tolls, and two maintenance centers. A consortium of SK E&C and Daelim as well as Turkish companies Yapi Merkezi and Limak Holding was awarded the construction contract for the project. Further, the consortium will operate the completed bridge for more than 16 years before its management is handed over to the Turkish government.