With the appointment of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, transportation investments have been accelerated in Izmir, and an important stage has been reached in the huge project that will connect Buca and Bornova without interruption. One of the most critical stages of this alternative road project, which will significantly ease the city's traffic burden, is the tunnel excavation. percent 95 level was announced to have been reached.
The determined steps taken in line with Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay's vision of strengthening Izmir's transportation infrastructure during his one-year term of service have begun to yield concrete results in this giant project. Acting with the aim of producing fast and effective solutions to the city's transportation problems, the Metropolitan Municipality has made significant progress in this important project in the last year, which will reduce the density of the existing transportation axis between Buca and Bornova and provide a breath of fresh air to city traffic.
A Huge 45 Percent Progress in One Year
This giant transportation project, which will start from the Konak Tunnel and end at the bus station viaducts and is 8,3 kilometers in length, consists of a 2,5-kilometer deep double tunnel. While only 2017 percent progress has been made in the seven-year period between 2024 and April 40, thanks to the intensive and uninterrupted work of the teams in the approximately one-year period since President Dr. Cemil Tugay took office in April 2024, percent 45 Another remarkable progress was made, increasing the overall completion rate of the project percent 85 In the tunnel excavations, which is the most critical phase of the project, percent 95 The achievement of this rate has increased hopes that the project will be completed in the near future. The aim is to completely complete the tunnel excavations in mid-2025 and to put this important road axis into service for the people of Izmir in 2026.
The Longest Highway Tunnel Built with Municipal Resources
When completed, the Buca Onat Tunnel will be the longest highway tunnel built with municipal resources not only in Izmir but also in Türkiye. Thanks to this new road axis, which will reduce the current travel time between Buca and Bornova from approximately 45 minutes to only 10 minutes, Izmir residents who set off from southern districts such as Konak, Balçova, Çeşme and Urla will be able to reach Bornova and Karşıyaka They will be able to reach districts such as the ones in the north of Izmir, as well as Istanbul and Ankara in a much shorter time. Thanks to this new main artery to be formed in the city center, especially the heavy Bornova traffic on Yeşildere Street and Ankara Street, and the Halkapınar traffic in the direction of the bus station via Şehitler Street and Kamil Tunca will be greatly relieved. Izmir residents will be able to easily connect to the Buca Onat Tunnel via Konak Tunnel and Homeros Boulevard and reach the bus station and Bornova in a short time. The total investment cost of the project at current prices is stated as approximately 3 billion TL. This huge investment is evaluated as a strategic move for the transportation future of Izmir.
