Marmaray

Marmaray is the name of a railway transport project in Istanbul. It includes the construction of a railway tunnel under the Bosphorus, as well as the expansion and modernization of existing lines along the Sea of ​​Marmara to Halkalı on the European and to Gebze on the Asian side. Also part of the project is the procurement of new local trains. The name of the project derives from the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Turkish word for rail or track ray from. The project combines not only the two S -Bahn lines ( Banliyö Trenleri ) with each other, but also serves the long-distance traffic as the first standard gauge direct connection between Europe and Asia.

The tunnel under the Bosphorus has been in operation since 29 October 2013. However, the tunnel is currently connected either at European or Asian side, with the remaining rail network because the access routes are blocked because of the extensive modifications. The continuous movement of trains scheduled to start in June 2015.

Genesis

The idea of ​​a Bosphorus tunnel dates back to 1860. Since the Bosporus is relatively deep and with a under-crossing former technique has not been possible, the plan was a kind of floating tunnel, which should rest like a bridge built on piles on the seabed. During the following decades, the idea was discussed further. A second plan in 1902 called for tunnels that lie on the ocean floor (similar to the 1908 Hudsontunnel opened in New York). This and the following designs were, however, ultimately not pursued.

Requirements

Regional

With 15 million inhabitants, Istanbul is one of the largest cities in the world. The Bosphorus divides the city into a European and an Asian part, with approximately two- thirds of the population live in the European part. The two parts of the city are connected by ferries and two road bridges. The share of rail in the motorized traffic in Istanbul with 3.6 % (as of 1997) far behind that of other major cities.

Nationally

The Bosphorus divides the West European standard gauge, the railway network of the equally standard-gauge network of Asiatic Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. Freight cars must therefore be transported by ferry across the strait. An alternative route to the north of the Black Sea is due to the different gauge in Ukraine, Russia and Georgia also possible only with difficulty. There are plans to connect the Western European with the Chinese standard gauge network via Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Decision

Due to the rapid growth of the city and of urban transport in the 1980s the idea was taken up again. A comprehensive study was published in 1987. A further report in 1998 led to the decision to implement the plans. On 19 August 1999, the Turkish State Minister Recep Önal and the Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura, signed in Ankara an agreement on the project. For a first loan of 117 million U.S. dollars has been released. Overall, Japan had the intention to provide $ 886 million for the 1.6 -billion project. Completion was originally scheduled within four years. 2004 went near, the European Investment Bank ( EIB).

Execution

The Bosphorus is among crosses in a 1387 m long immersed tunnel which passes 56 m below sea level under the strait. The eleven tunnel elements were prefabricated and lowered at the installation in a previously established on the seabed trench. After the connection of the segments of the trench has been refilled. Of the eleven tunnel segments have eight the length of 135 m, two 98.5 m, and a 110 m. Outside the prefabricated elements are 8.75 m high and 15.5 m wide. This tube was connected with built in display of mining excavation tunnels.

In Yenikapı, Sirkeci and Üsküdar new underground stations were built, 37 more above-ground stations to be modernized in the field of auszubauenden route or newly built. At the station Yenikapı a transfer to the subway lines M1A, M1B and M2 will be possible at the Sirkeci station was below the European Central Train Station is a rail station and then change to tram line T1. In Üsküdar there is an interchange with metro line Üsküdar - Dudullu (M5 ), which is under construction, and type in İbrahimağa / Ayrılıkçeşme for on August 17, 2012 completed M4.

The existing railway lines to be expanded to three tracks. Two tracks are provided for local traffic and a railway for the long-distance transport. For the long-distance track every four to five kilometers Dodge be established. The tunnel under the Bosporus is executed twofold. In long-distance IC trains will run with eight stops in Istanbul. Due to the high utilization of freight during the night to take place. For the transport promotion output of 75,000 passengers per hour in each direction to be achieved. The travel time from Gebze to Halkalı should be 105 minutes. The share of rail transport in Istanbul is expected to increase with the project from 3.6% to 27.7 %.

Rolling stock

As part of the Marmaray project, five -piece and 34 ten -car multiple units to be purchased for the transport 20 which are supplied by the Korean company Hyundai Rotem. The vehicles are 3 m wide; a ten -car train is 220 meters long and can carry up to 3040 people. For these high capacity and rapid boarding and alighting the car have on each side five double doors and large standing areas, but relatively few seats. The car bodies are welded stainless steel and designed for a service life of 50 years.

Construction costs

The construction costs of the project will amount to approximately 2.5 billion euros. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation ( JBIC ) and the European Investment Bank ( EIB) providing the bulk of the financing. As so often with large construction projects here too, the construction costs are not adhered to. With exact figures, those responsible but keep a low profile.

Archaeological finds

Construction began in May 2004. During the work at the station Yenikapı remains of the ancient harbor of Byzantium from the 4th century, including 33 ships, and up to 8500 years old graves were found. For the Marmaray project, this had a local building freeze result. On 13 January 2011, archaeological excavations were completed. For the objects found during the excavations, a new museum to be created.

Contract history

Early in 2010 (consisting of Alstom, Marubeni and Dogus ) terminated the contract is the authority responsible for track laying and electrical systems AMD consortium. In September 2010, the contract was re-bid, in May 2011, the financial bids of the qualified joint ventures have been published: OHL and Dimetronic ( 1.04 billion euros ); Impergilo, Alarko and Ansaldo ( 1.07 billion euros ); Astaldi, Yüksel and Gülermak ( 1.11 billion euros ); CRCC, Cengiz Construction and IC Ictas ( 1.35 billion euros ); Bechtel and Enka ( 1.48 billion euros ). With a completion is expected by the end of 2014.

The contract, valued at 932.8 million euros was awarded on 25 October 2011, a joint venture consisting of the Spanish construction company Huarte Lain OBRASCON ( OHL ) and the British company Invensys Rail ( 70:30 ). The project is supported by the Development Bank of the Council of Europe and the European Investment Bank. Work began in early 2012, the first phase was completed in October 2013.

Earthquake risk

Istanbul is situated near the North Anatolian Fault, which runs some 20 km south of the city in an east-west direction through the Sea of ​​Marmara. The city therefore live with the constant threat of violent earthquakes. In 1999, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 occurred on the Richter scale with the epicenter in İzmit about 100 km east of Istanbul. The Marmaray tunnel is therefore designed to withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter scale and also a possible soil liquefaction on a sandy bottom. In order to ensure the necessary mechanical properties for a long time ( at least 100 years to design ), a special admixtures have been developed.

Schedule

In 2004, a completion for the year 2008 was announced at the ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone. Later schedules provided for a completion for the year 2010. On 4 August 2013, the first test train ran through the Marmaray tunnel. On October 29, 2013, the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, the tunnel was opened to traffic under the Bosphorus. First, the route will be operated with three holding isolated. The connection to the subsequent lines is still pending. The opening of the complete routes on the Asian and European side is planned for June 2015.

Full commissioning is scheduled for 2017 (as of 2013).

Specifications

• Gauge: 1435 mm ( standard gauge )
• Power supply: 25 kV, 50 Hz catenary systems
• Track length: 76.3 km of which three-prong extension of existing aboveground routes: 62.7 km
• New tunnel: 13.6 km them on the seabed: 1.4 km
• Mining method: 9.8 km
• Open cut: 2.4 km

• Them new, completely underground: 3
• Long-distance stations: 8