Eurasia Tunnel

Economic growth: Eurasia Tunnel is expected to contribute $1.7 billion to gross value add (GVA), generate an additional $364 million in tax revenues and create 53,734 jobs between 2013 and 2042 January. On average, every year Istanbul adds $57 million to its economy through domestic expenditures of the tunnel.

Productivity improvement: Using 2023 data, a passenger using the tunnel during the peak hours of traffic saves 601 TL for each round trip. It is estimated that the Eurasia Tunnel Project generates total savings of $5.7 billion, of which $4.1 billion is from productivity savings and $1.6 billion is a result of externalities. In addition, it is estimated that the tunnel will have generated 363,646 annual FTEs by the end of the concession period.

The project is privately-financed. A minimum revenue guarantee mechanism (MRG) ensures stable revenues for investors, however, as of the final quarter of 2023, the revenues from the tolls have exceeded the level of the MRG. A revenue sharing mechanism will serve to compensate the state for the payments made under the guarantee mechanism.

As a result of the tunnel’s location under the Bosphorus close to the Marmara fault, a number of measures were put in place to protect against the risk of earthquakes, tsunamis and storm surges:

• Two seismic joints provide 3-dimensional flexibility to the tunnel in case of an earthquake.
• Tunnel entrance was elevated to meet E.L.+ 6m
• Discharge pumps installed at entrance/exit with total capacity sized for tsunami risk
• An Earthquake Procedure was developed outlining the actions to be taken during and after an earthquake
• Tunnel segments were manufactured by Yapı Merkezi Prefabrication (local) with impermeable and resistant concrete in the concrete class of C50/60 and designed with a longer service life than 100 years

Construction: The project was completed within budget and 8 months earlier than contractual construction period. Operation: The tunnel uses a variety of efficiency enhancing technologies:

• A Speed Regulating Moving Lighting (Pacemaker Lighting) Technology guides the drivers with a special light arch on the ceiling increasing efficiency by 8.45% by increasing both speed and occupancy of both lanes at the same time. In addition, potential traffic congestion is reduced by 53.4% in the Pacemaker Zone and up to 69% in the deepest point. The Pacemaker Lighting System also helps decrease exhaust gases such as CO and NO2 by 12.37% and 7.66% respectively to protect environment.
• Ventilation of the tunnel is optimized with different working conditions of fans. According to the evaluation results of the phases new working schedules are determined which creates an energy consumption saving up to 80% in daily basis compared to the initial design criteria.

Construction was completed in 14 million man-hours and employed over 12000 people. 84% of workers during construction were local. Approximately 700 engineers worked on the project of which 95% were Turkish. During operations, local workers represented 99% of the workforce.

Air pollution: Two air quality monitoring stations were built near the stacks. Since the tunnel entered operation, average hourly CO, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations at monitoring stations located close to the stacks have decreased 16–30%, 44–46% and 12–24%, respectively. Average NO2 concentrations increased about 9–24%, but these concentrations still remain below the 1-hour standard.

Cultural heritage: The Eurasia Tunnel Project is located on a historic peninsula containing cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage. A number of measures were taken before construction to assess potential impacts on cultural heritage, including a survey of the condition of the rampart throughout the project route, a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment and a Silhouette Study was performed in order not to interfere with the silhouette of Istanbul. During construction, a Chance Finds Procedure was implemented under the supervision of General Directorate of the İstanbul Archaeology Museum. Furthermore, in the context of protecting cultural heritage, the project coordinated with a number institutional stakeholders including the Independent Architects Association, Responsible Preservation Councils, ICOMOS, TUROB (Touristic Hotels and Investors Association Turkey) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.