Golden Horn (metro bridge)

Construction projects of such a bridge appeared in 1952. After approval of plans to build subway lines, it was decided to build a bridge crossing the Golden Horn Bay near the Suleymaniye Mosque. At the same time, the bridge was supposed to immediately go to the metro-tunnels from one side and the other. In 2005, 21 bridge projects were proposed, but none of them harmonized with the general view of the city and the bay and was not approved. A successful design was later presented by the Turkish architect Hakan Kiran , however, from the very beginning he was also discussed a lot and was the object of discussions. In November 2009, the height of the bridge was reduced from 82 to 65 meters, since the starting height threatened Istanbul with the exception of UNESCO monuments. ^{[2] [3] [6]} The height of the suspended supports also decreased from 63 to 55 meters in July 2011, and later to 47 meters. The final approved design with the parameters of the bridge was adopted in 2012. ^[3]

The concept of the bridge was developed by French architect Michel Virlage, who already designed the Sultan Selim bridge (the third bridge over the Bosphorus), today it is under construction. ^[3] Turkish architect Hakan Kiran was responsible for architectural design and for the construction itself. Wiecon Consulting Engineers & Architects carried out engineering work. ^[3] The main developers were the Italian construction company Astaldi SpA and the Turkish Gülermak Ağır Sanayi İnşaat ve Taahhüt A.Ş. ^[2] Construction began on January 2, 2009 ^{[1] [3]} , it was planned to finish it in approximately 600 days. ^[2] Further, the construction period was increased, the operation of the bridge in test mode began in February 2013, and on February 15, 2014 the bridge was put into operation. ^{[1] [7]} Budget expenditures for construction amounted to € 146.7 million. ^{[2] [8]}

The total length of the bridge is 936 meters between the stops Azapkapı ( Beyoglu ) and Unkapanı (Fatih), the segment above the water is 460 meters. ^{[1] [6] [8]} The longest span between the supports is 180 meters. ^[9] On each side of the bridge it is decorated with nine ropes and two towers. ^[8]

At a bridge width of 12.6 meters, two railway tracks are placed in different directions, as well as side pedestrian walkways. ^{[1] [6]}

On the side of Unkapanı, on a plot of 120 meters, the bridge is diluted so that large vessels can also enter the Golden Horn Bay. ^{[1] [2] [3] It was} originally planned that the bridge will open at night from 1:00 to 5:00 in the summer and twice in the winter. However, clear plans are not yet known. ^[6]

The length of the platform of the metro station is 180 meters and can accommodate an eight-car train, the tracks are located in the center of the bridge. ^{[1] [2] [3] [8]} The construction of the station according to the final design increased the bridge length by 180 meters. ^[3] According to the plans, the station and the bridge will potentially pass through up to one million passengers a day through themselves, due to the connection of Sultanahmet , the Grand Bazaar and a number of attractions to Taksim Square directly. ^{[1] [6]}

As part of the construction, public organizations and citizens opposed the current design of the bridge, as well as changes to construction plans that had already occurred during construction. ^[8] Opinions have been expressed that the construction of the bridge in its current form is detrimental to the historical appearance of Istanbul. ^{[8] [10]}