Marmaray, the tube which will cross the Bosphorus underwater from Europe to Asia in Istanbul, is set to open on 29 October 2013, on the 90th birthday of The Republic of Turkey. The project has been under construction in the past 9 years and is usually referred as "The Project of The Century" by ruling Justice and Development Party. The tests on the section which is composed of submerged tube and tunnels has been started on 4 August 2013 and the first test drive was performed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Marmaray is in fact going into operation 4.5 years later than it was originally planned. When the work for Marmaray started in 2004, it was planned to be finished by 2009. But in 2005, archaeologically significant sites were discovered at the location where the Marmaray tunnel goes to surface level and sections in Uskudar, Sirkeci and Yenikapi. The most important site which has been uncovered was the biggest port of Constantinople in the 4tn century, Theodosius Port.
Not all phases of Marmaray are opened on 29th October. Only the first phase which is composed of 4 stations will be opened. This section is the most important section because it has the underwater Bosphorus crossing. All the project will be operational sometime in 2015.
Marmaray ticket prices will be 1.95 Turkish Lira (around 1 USD).
Below are the 4 stations which will be operational on 29th October:
Same day with Marmaray (but with a different ceremony), Ankara - Istanbul High Speed Rail Line will also become operational.
Marmaray is in fact going into operation 4.5 years later than it was originally planned. When the work for Marmaray started in 2004, it was planned to be finished by 2009. But in 2005, archaeologically significant sites were discovered at the location where the Marmaray tunnel goes to surface level and sections in Uskudar, Sirkeci and Yenikapi. The most important site which has been uncovered was the biggest port of Constantinople in the 4tn century, Theodosius Port.
Not all phases of Marmaray are opened on 29th October. Only the first phase which is composed of 4 stations will be opened. This section is the most important section because it has the underwater Bosphorus crossing. All the project will be operational sometime in 2015.
Marmaray ticket prices will be 1.95 Turkish Lira (around 1 USD).
Below are the 4 stations which will be operational on 29th October:
- Yenikapı (European Side)
- Sirkeci (European Side)
- Üsküdar (Asian Side)
- Ayrılıkçeşme (Asian Side)
 |
| Marmaray construction site seen here in Uskudar, Asian side of Bosphorus. On the other side, European shores of Bosphorus is seen. |
No comments:
Post a Comment