Bridge across the Bosphorus: the shortest route from Europe to Asia

Turkey is, perhaps, the only state that belongs to two parts of the world: European and Asian. These parts disconnect the Bosphorus. So that people can move around freely and travel to different continents, so that water does not become an obstacle to the friendship and reunification of peoples, it was decided to build a bridge across the Bosporus in Istanbul.

The First Bosporus Bridge

This bridge became the first suspended structure erected across the Bosporus Strait. Hence the name sounds like this. The bridge across the strait connects the Asian and European coasts between each other. Just a few minutes, and a man without any effort comes from Europe to Asia and vice versa.

Another ruler of Persia, Darius I dreamed of building a bridge that would become a "connector" of the two continents. Such a bridge played an important role in the imperial plans. In order to defeat the great Alexander the Great, the Persian army had to be sent across the strait. If there was a bridge, then it would be easier to win the Scythians. Imperial dreams are a law for the courtiers. In 480 BC the bridge across the Bosporus Strait was erected. True, the pontoon.

Since then, not one century has passed, and the idea of a stationary structure still did not leave the heads of the rulers. And at the very beginning of the 20th century the Sultan Abdul Hamid II was asked to build a permanent bridge by the Bosporus railway company. However, only 50 years later, a final decision was made to put the idea into practice.

Who, when and how much

In 1950, the bridge was planned to be laid. The project became the brainchild of British engineers U. Brown and G. Roberts. However, like any great creation, a grandiose plan must wait for its high point. Only 20 years later, in 1970, construction work began.

In 1973, the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated. Just at that date, the opening of the structure was timed. To build a bridge across the Bosphorus, the state had to shell out $ 200 million, and it was named after the founder of the Republic of Ataturk.

The bridge consists of three lanes for driving cars. Also on it there are two lanes, going in different directions, along which transport of emergency services is moving . To pass on the bridge, you must put a certain amount. However, this does not prevent him from taking on his roads about 200 thousand cars daily. There are also tracks for pedestrians. However passage on them is forbidden, as these are favorite places of suicides.

The total length of the bridge across the Bosphorus is 1510 meters, its width is 39 meters. Today, the structure occupies 17th place among all the suspension bridges in the world. He is at a height of 64 meters above the water.

The Second Bosporus Bridge

There is also a second bridge across the Bosporus in Istanbul. It bears the name of Sultan Mehmed Fatih. It became a branch of the union of the European Istanbul (Rumeli Hisara) and the Asian part of the former capital of Turkey (Andalo Hisara). The bridge was built from 1985 to 1988. In some characteristics, the second bridge exceeds the first. To create it, much more money was spent, and the main span is several times longer. So, the length of the second construction is 1510 meters, width - 39 meters. It stands on the twelfth place in the world among the largest bridges. The height of its pillars is 165 meters, while its predecessor can "boast" a figure of only 105 meters.

And the third will soon be

The authorities of Istanbul decided to build another bridge across the Bosporus. In the ancient capital of the three powerful empires, work has begun on this matter. The first persons of the state took part in the opening of the project. Its cost will cost Turkey $ 3.3 billion. However, it's worth it, because the design is designed to unload the existing highway.

The new building will bear the name of Yavuz Sultan Selim. The monarch ruled the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. This bridge in many respects surpasses its older "brothers". It will accommodate eight lanes for cars and two for rail transport. Its width will be 59 meters, height - 320 meters, and the length of the main span - 1408 meters. All these are the parameters of the future masterpiece of architecture. Builders and the government plan to complete all work by 2015.

Views of the bridge

If you just look at the first bridge across the Bosphorus, then nothing but metal and concrete, and you will not see. To appreciate the beauty of sculpture, you need to know where it is best to consider it. If you walk in the afternoon, beautiful views of the bridge are opened from a ship cruising the strait. From a distance it can be seen as in the palm of your hand, and it resembles a thin thread. There is a belief that if you make a wish, swim under the bridge, you can be sure that it will certainly come true.

However, the Atatürk bridge is really beautiful at night or in the evening. Sit down with a glass of red wine in one of the restaurants on the shores of the Bosphorus and enjoy the magnificent scenery. When it's dark, the bridge begins to glow with multicolored iridescent lights. The spectacle is worth it, that they will devote even one single night to it.