World’s longest suspension bridge opens in Turkey

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Disbelief suspended! The world’s longest bridge is unveiled in Turkey at a cost of $2 billion and has a span of 1.25 miles between its towers

  • ‘1915 Canakkale Bridge’ will save Turkey £348m a year in fuel consumption and emissions
  • It allows travelers to cross the Dardanelles Strait in six minutes compared to the previous 90 by ferry
  • The “Canakkale Bridge of 1915” is named after Turkey’s naval victory in World War I over a British and French fleet

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With a span of two kilometers (2,023 m, 6,637 ft) between its towers, Turkey’s “1915 Canakkale Bridge” has become the longest suspension bridge in the world.

It connects the European and Asian shores of the Dardanelles Strait – a key waterway – from Gelibolu on the European side of Canakkale Province in northwest Turkey with the city of Lapseki on the Asian side.

The bridge allows travelers to cross the Dardanelles – which connect the Aegean Sea to the Sea of ​​Marmara – in just six minutes compared to the previous 90 minutes by ferry.

With a span of two kilometers (2,023 m, 6,637 ft) between its towers, Turkey’s ‘1915 Canakkale Bridge’ has become the longest suspension bridge in the world

The bridge allows travelers to cross the Dardanelles - which connect the Aegean to the Sea of ​​Marmara - in just six minutes compared to the previous 90 minutes by ferry

The bridge allows travelers to cross the Dardanelles – which connect the Aegean to the Sea of ​​Marmara – in just six minutes compared to the previous 90 minutes by ferry

The architecture of the bridge is awash with symbolism.  Its central span of 2,023 meters is in recognition of the year 2023, when Turkey celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

The architecture of the bridge is awash with symbolism. Its central span of 2,023 meters is in recognition of the year 2023, when Turkey celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

Building the ‘1915 Canakkale Bridge’ cost 2.5bn euros ($2.7bn/£1.5bn), but Turkey will save 415m euros ($458m / £348 million) per year through reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The bridge toll will be 200 Turkish Lira ($13.60/£10.30).

The architecture of the bridge is awash with symbolism. Its central span of 2,023 meters is in recognition of the year 2023, when Turkey celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

The height of the bridge’s towers is 318 meters (1,043 feet) – a nod to March 18 (or 3/18), when Turkey commemorates the soldiers killed in the sea and land battles of Gallipoli.

The height of the bridge's towers is 318 meters (1,043 feet) - a nod to March 18 (or 3/18), when Turkey commemorates soldiers killed in the sea and land battles of Gallipoli

The height of the bridge’s towers is 318 meters (1,043 feet) – a nod to March 18 (or 3/18), when Turkey commemorates soldiers killed in the sea and land battles of Gallipoli

Building the '1915 Canakkale Bridge' cost €2.5bn ($2.7bn/£1.5bn), but Turkey will save €415m ($458m/ £348 million) per year through reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions

Building the ‘1915 Canakkale Bridge’ cost €2.5bn ($2.7bn/£1.5bn), but Turkey will save €415m ($458m/ £348 million) per year through reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions

Speaking at the inauguration, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said:

Speaking at the inauguration, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said: “The 1915 Canakkale Bridge (pictured above) will leave behind this history of collisions and conflicts and will be a bridge between the ‘East and West, beginning a new era of peace and prosperity’

The Gallipoli Campaign of World War I by the Entente Powers – Britain, France and Russia – aimed to secure a naval route from the Mediterranean Sea to Istanbul through the Dardanelles and drive the Ottoman Empire out of the war. On April 25, 1915, the landing at Gallipoli marked the beginning of a fierce battle that lasted eight months. About 44,000 Allied soldiers and 86,000 Ottoman soldiers died in the fighting.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on March 18, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “Turkey overtook Japan, which has the longest bridge in the world in terms of median span, and took the first square.”

The inauguration was timed to coincide with the 107th anniversary of Turkey’s World War I naval victory over the joint British and French fleet attacking the Dardanelles. The failure of the naval campaign led to the ill-fated 1915 landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula by the allies, led by Britain and France, along with Australian and New Zealand troops.

The bridge was built by a consortium of Turkish and South Korean companies, and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum also attended the inauguration.

He said the bridge would strengthen ties between Turkey and South Korea, adding: “The 1915 Canakkale Bridge will leave behind this history of collisions and conflicts and will be a bridge between East and West, beginning a new era of peace and prosperity.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pictured above at the opening ceremony in March, said:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pictured above at the opening ceremony in March, said: “Turkey has overtaken Japan, which has the longest bridge in the world in terms of median span, and has taken the first place”. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is seen here to the left of the Turkish President

The inauguration ceremony was timed to coincide with the 107th anniversary of Turkey's World War I naval victory over a joint British and French fleet attacking the Dardanelles.  Pictured above, Erdogan delivers a speech at the event

The inauguration ceremony was timed to coincide with the 107th anniversary of Turkey’s World War I naval victory over a joint British and French fleet attacking the Dardanelles. Pictured above, Erdogan delivers a speech at the event

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