Traffic to worsen in Istanbul with bridge repair
ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency
‘İstanbul will be seriously affected’ says the city’s mayor Topbaş.
The Fatih Sultan Mehmet (FSM) Bridge, one of the two bridges connecting Istanbul’s Asian and European sides, was partially closed this morning until Sept. 17 for roadworks.Three lanes of the bridge, which has eight lanes, will be closed to traffic during the period. Not only the FSM but also the Haliç Bridge over the Golden Horn will be undergoing construction works during the period. Sections connecting the Haliç Bridge to the E-5 highway had broken off on May 23, causing concerns among many Istanbul citizens about the safety of the bridge.
Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş said they were also not pleased about the closing of the bridges during the summertime, saying “Istanbul will be seriously affected.” However, Topbaş said they could not resist the Directorate of Highways’ insistent demands. “We took the necessary precautions, Istanbulites’ sensitiveness will help us solve this problem,” he said. Work teams will be conducting the roadworks 24 hours-a-day.
