The Turkish government is offering a tender for the construction of a new $2.5 billion subway line through Istanbul, including an underwater Bosphorus tube passage. Called Marmaray, the subway will link the suburb of Gebze to Halkali, reported Milliyet .
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has confirmed that it will finance a portion of the project, which includes the installation of rails, tube passages and stations. Leading international construction firms have also shown interest in the venture.
Istanbul was one of the first cities to build an underground railway. The short route built in 1800's is still working between Karakoy and Beyoglu. However Istanbul Metro was never expanded. Today there is only a small underground and tramcar network. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
