The EIB is taking part in one of the world's most ambitious urban transport schemes, known to the people of Istanbul as the Marmaray project: the development of a modern, high-capacity commuter rail system providing an effective transport solution for the citizens of Istanbul via a tunnel under the Bosphorus, and connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.

This will also enable the passage of high-speed trains to bring both parts of the city and the two continents closer together. First signed by the Bank in 2004, the crucial relevance of the EIB -supported project in terms of a transport network, as well as in forging closer ties between Turkey and the EU, was already realised by all the actors involved from its inception. It is the largest and most important infrastructure project undertaken in Turkey.

(Balkans.com)

Read more