Istanbul's underground road network growing


Authorities in Istanbul are planning to build three more underground road tunnels to address the city's perennial traffic problem. According to plans, a 2-kilometer tunnel will be built between Dolmabahçe on the Bosporus to Fulya, a 4-kilometer tunnel from Fulya to Levazım and a 6-kilometer tunnel from Levazım to Baltalimanı, also on the Bosporus. The project is expected to cost approximately $660 million.The construction of all three tunnels will begin this year and is projected to become operational in 2018. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's plan to replace the huge inter-city bus station in Esenler with several smaller and more efficient stations is also proceeding on schedule. The already complete Alibeyköy station will be connected to the central Eminönü district with a $492-million rail project to ease the traffic burden.