Construction of the Istanbul Canal starts

Baku/26.06.21/Turan: The foundation of the first bridge within the framework of the implementation of mega-project - the Istanbul Canal - is laid in Turkey on Saturday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation of the first bridge over the Sazlydere reservoir, Anadolu agency reports.

An artificial transport artery bypassing the Bosphorus Strait will connect the Black and Marmara Seas to thus enhance the role of Turkey in international trade.

The goal of Turkey's largest infrastructure initiative is to relieve the Bosphorus Strait where shipping is becoming more and more intensive every year.

Suffice it to say above 43, 000 ships pass every year through the Bosphorus, one of the busiest sea routes in the world, while normally this figure is set at 25, 000 in line with international agreements.

According to Turkish authorities' forecasts, the flow of ships between the Black and Marmara Seas will reach 78, 000 after 2050 which enhances the importance of the new sea artery.

It should be added that the 45 km long canal is expected to improve logistics capabilities and infrastructure of Turkey, and among other things protect the ecology of the metropolis from possible incidents with ships.

An average depth of the Canal will be 20.75 m, width 275 m. New cities are planned to be built along the banks of the Istanbul Canal.

The project is expected to take 7 years to complete. Six bridges will be laid across the new Canal.

The Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that the Montreux Convention does not concern the Istanbul Canal project, that is, the communication across the Canal falls no under provisions of the international agreements on the status of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits.

According to preliminary data, the construction will cost $ 10 billion. - 02B-