Chanakkale Ataturk Bridge

Historical notes, traffic counts, geological information, general layout, preliminary design features as well as the financial aspects of the Chanakkale Ataturk Bridge are briefly presented. The suspension bridge will be located at the narrowest point of the Chanakkale Strait, and has a total length of 2 120 meters from anchorage to anchorage, of which 1 510 meters is the central span. The bridge deck is of aerodynamic box shape containing three traffic lanes in each direction. The cost of the bridge alone is estimated to be 339 million US Dollars. The overall cost of the project, however, may reach 450 million US Dollars including the construction of 15 kilometers long approach roads. The complete engineering design of the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 1994 allowing for the construction work to start early in 1995. If all goes well together with the availability of the credit package, the Chanakkale Ataturk Bridge may be commissioned to operate in the year 1997.