The project is the first of a number of phases of the motorway and is being delivered under a 10-year, US$2.5 billion public-private partnership (PPP). It involves construction of 55km of connection roads, 19 motorway junctions, 67 viaducts, seven tunnels and tthe cable-stayed bridge across the Bosphorus.
The new bridge, designed by Michel Virlogeux and Swiss consultant T-Engineering, will have a main span of 1.4km and will carry an eight-lane highway and a two-line railway on the same level, giving it a width of 59m. The structure will also have the world’s tallest towers, at over 320m.
Mott MacDonald will carry out a technical due diligence review of the project documentation produced by concession company ICA up to financial close. This will include a review of the transaction documents, design, construction methodology, operation and maintenance proposals, budget, programme, payment mechanism and risk analysis. Following financial close, Mott MacDonald will undertake construction and operations monitoring on behalf of lenders.
John Young, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said: “The new east-west route should alleviate congestion on existing routes across Istanbul, including the two existing bridges across the Bosphorus. This should enhance economic growth in the region and improve trade between Europe and Asia. It should also open up possible development in northern Istanbul.”
Financial close is expected to be reached before the end of 2013, with construction expected to be complete in 2016. A ceremony to lay the first stone for the bridge was held at the end of May (link opens in new tab).
