Crossing the Bosphorus strait:: A railway tunnel or another highway bridge

Istanbul, is settled mainly along the east-west axis on the two continents of Asia and Europe. With a population of about 10 million, it is one of the largest metropolitan cities in Europe. Transportation between the two parts of the city is currently provided by two road bridges and ferry lines. Like many other metropolitan areas in the world, traffic congestion is a major problem, Today only 11% of the total motorized daily trips being made in the city cross the Bosphorus, However, because of the severe traffic congestion on the existing bridges and the expected impacts of the new projects on land use and transportation development of the city, the Bosphorus crossing projects have been the focus of attentions of politicians, transport and city planners, non-governmental organisations and citizens. This paper presents the main results of a strategic land use transportation plan with special emphasis given to the Bosphorus crossings in Istanbul. Alternative projects for the Bosphorus crossings have been discussed in the context of 'sustainable city'.