Istanbul locals ‘tired’ of road repair works
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet
Repair work on Istanbul’s second main bridge on Bosphorus is expected to end Aug. 30. Istanbul residents also say a new repair on Ayamama is causing jams. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL
Istanbul residents have heavily complained about traffic issues caused by repair work on Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM) Bridge and Haliç Bridge, which continue with rehabilitation efforts at Ayamama Creek.Residents have said they are tired of the dead-stop traffic caused by the Ayamama Creek rehabilitation efforts and simultaneous repair work being carried out on both bridges within the city.
Commuters who must travel on either side of TEM Highway between Mahmutbey Tolls and Basın Ekspress Road suffer through massive traffic jams everyday. Heavy traffic has also been affecting travelers attempting to get to Atatürk International Airport, causing many to miss their flights.
Dismayed with the repair works seemingly slow progress, Istanbul drivers are angry with city administrators. “The machines are doing nothing while we suffer. The repair work takes place at certain time periods in the day. If you are making an effort, work for 24 hours and get it done as soon as possible so that people are not miserable,” a local resident said.
Another driver said he had missed his flight since he did not know about the repair work. “It’s almost impossible to travel from one place to another [in the city] because of the repair work in Istanbul. Of course repair work has to be done, but they need to be timed accordingly and be completed as soon as possible. They entrust the work to those who don’t know what they are doing and citizens end up paying for it,” he said.
Repair work on FSM Bridge will end Aug. 30 while work on Haliç Bridge will end Sept. 17. Ayamama Creek rehabilitation efforts will continue until January 31, 2013.
Ayamama Creek is being widened and vents are being constructed below the stream. After the groundwork is completed the road will be opened to cars and construction will continue below the road. The traffic is let through the newly opened service roads around Mahmutbey West Junction. After the infrastructure work is completed, pavement will be built on top.
