16 companies take specifications for planned three-story tunnel project over Bosphorus

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

A total of 16 companies have taken specification documents for a Dec. 23 tender to build a three-story tunnel project in Istanbul that is expected to ease the traffic burden, according to officials.

In line with the project, the winners will undertake deep drilling activities both under land and at sea in the Bosphorus over the next year. 

The three-story tunnel will pass under the Bosphorus, featuring tubes for both cars and trains. Trains will pass through a tube in the middle, while the tubes below and above will be for vehicular transit. 

One part of the planned 6.5 km-long tunnel will connect a high speed subway system from the İncirli neighborhood on the European side to Söğütlüçeşme on the Asian side. The second part will connect a two-lane land route between Hasdal on the European side and Çamlıca on the Asian side. 

The tunnel will be integrated into four subway lines, the TEM Motorway, the E-5 Motorway and the Northern Marmara Motorway, according to officials. 

After the tunnel is completed in the next five years, around 6.5 million passengers are expected to use it on daily basis.

Interested companies have the opportunity to obtain the specification documents until the day of the tender.