Underground tunnel in Istanbul’s Taksim Square opened to traffic

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

The tunnel constructed as part of the controversial Taksim pedestrianization project will reroute traffic underground starting from Sept. 13, linking the often congested Tarlabaşı and Cumhuriyet Avenues. DHA photo

An underground tunnel in Istanbul’s Taksim Square which is part of a controversial pedestrianization project in the area was opened this morning to traffic, nearly 11 months after construction began.
 
The tunnel will reroute traffic underground, linking the often congested Tarlabaşı and Cumhuriyet Avenues.
 
The construction was first halted after archeological structures, which were thought to be historical water outlets, were revealed.
 
The construction area is also adjacent to Gezi Park where protests had erupted in late May spread across the country.
 
Protesters who were opposed to the municipality’s redevelopment project of the park, which will involve cutting down trees within the vicinity, also objected to the pedestrianization project, as experts argued that it would make it more difficult for pedestrians to reach the square.

The Istanbul Chamber of  Urban Planners have also disapproved of the project, saying that its aim in fact was not to ease the traffic for pedestrians, but rather to give priority to vehicles by creating five tunnels, which would inconvenience pedestrians wanting to reach the square.
 
Underground bus and dolmuş stations have been set inside the tunnels providing public transport users access to the square.