New Europe-Asia link?

Press, 4 June 1984, Page 12

New Europe-Asia link?

From “The Economist’ London

The first bridge between Europe and Asia was built in about 512 B.C. It was the brainchild of the Persian King, Darius I. But his flimsy pontoon, intended for one round trip of subjugation in Greece and the Balkans, did not last. The second bridge was a long time coming. Only in 1973, when Istanbul’s ferries could no longer handle the traffic, did the Turkish Government throw a suspension bridge from Euorpean Ortakoy to Asian Cengelkoy. Now a third bridge is on its way. If the second bridge could wait for almost 2500 years, why a third only 10 years later? The first reason is traffic. At peak times the districts on either side experience “area situation.” Back-ups can delay drivers for an hour and a half. Drivers from Europe to Asia buy return tickets at the toll booth (whether they are coming back immediately or not), so the lines are really bad only on the European side. Also, car ferries still ply. But as Istanbul has grown it has changed shape. What was once one of the most beautiful cities in the world is becoming in many parts a grey mass, sprawling relentlessly eastward. Besides reducing the volume of downtown traffic, the aim is for the second bridge to serve these new urban areas. Freeman Fox, the British firm whose past credits include designing the 1973 Bosporus bridge and the Severn bridge between England and Wales, has proposed a site just beyond Rumelihisair. The new bridge will be like these two in design. The swaying of the Severn bridge is due chiefly to

poor maintenance, according to Freeman Fox. and does not afflict the first Bosporus bridge, although some drivers say this one also sways. The cost of the new bridge is expected to be between $2OO million and $4OO million. Estimates for the date of completion are from 1988 to 1990. But there is none of the centro-

versv that surrounded the 1973 bridge. Turks today are likely to look at economic benefits, not at environmental damage. The first bridge paid for itself quickly and now makes a profit. The Turkish Government may even sell it to the public — to help finance the second bridge. Copyright — The Economist.