Tender for Bosporus bridges’ repair on way

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

The repair and maintenance of two bridges crossing over the Bosporus, Boğaziçi and Fatih Sultan Mehmet, will be completed in 18 months. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

A tender for major repairs on two Istanbul bridges, Boğaziçi and Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM), is set to take place on Sept. 5.

Bids will be received for the 40th annual repair and maintenance activities for the Bosphorus and FSM bridges in Istanbul. The electrical equipment on the bridges will be renovated, 236 bent suspension cables will be straightened and new asphalt will be laid so the bridges can carry greater loads and will last longer.

Lanes near the suspension cables will be closed to traffic between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., but traffic will not be completely closed unless necessary. The repair and maintenance work is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The construction of a third bridge between the Asian and European sides was launched on May 29, marking an important step for the $3 billion project. The planned bridge is set to be the world’s widest and longest combining road and rails.

Environmental reports ‘not obstacle’

Meanwhile environmental impact assessments (ÇED) are not obstacles for investors but rather road maps ahead, Çağatay Dikmen, general director of ÇED Permission and Surveillance said following a draft law proposal sent to Parliament that would eliminate the requirement of these reports for giant projects.

The draft article sent in May for discussion would prevent the cancellation of billions of worth of infrastructure projects, such as the third Bosphorus bridge, the third Istanbul airport and nuclear plants, on account of possible harm caused to the environment.