The extensive roadway spans the entire length of the Dardanelles Strait, which serves as a vital waterway linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara in that region. This bridge links Gelibolu, located on the European side of Turkey, with the town of Lapseki on the Asian side. By providing a direct asphalt connection between two continents, this remarkable bridge eliminates the need for a ferry, which previously took about 90 minutes to cross. Now, travelers can reach their destination in just six minutes. Can you envision that?
Completed in 2022, the bridge, built collaboratively by Turkish and South Korean firms, was finished in just five years. Despite its substantial price tag of $2.7 billion, it stands as a remarkable achievement. During the inauguration ceremony, President Erdogan remarked, “Turkey has surpassed Japan, which previously held the record for the longest bridge in the world based on midspan length, and now holds the top position.” South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum emphasized the bridge’s significance, stating, “The 1915 Canakkale Bridge will transcend the history of conflict and serve as a connection between East and West, ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.” The bridge is rich in symbolism, reflecting Turkey’s historical legacy. Notably, its length of 2,023 meters commemorates the year 2023, marking the centenary of the Turkish Republic’s establishment.
The height of the bridge carries significance, with its 318 meters representing March 18, the date when Turkey honors the soldiers who lost their lives at Gallipoli. If you’ve ever questioned the absence of bridges in various regions around the world, experts have provided insights. For instance, one might wonder why a bridge isn’t constructed over the 4,000-mile-long Amazon River. Although it seems like a logical choice, it is not feasible. Walter Kaufmann, chair of Structural Engineering (Concrete Structures and Bridge Design) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, explained to Live Science that the rationale is straightforward: “There is no sufficiently pressing need for a bridge across the Amazon.” Despite its vast length, many areas adjacent to the river are sparsely populated, resulting in a lack of major roads for a bridge to connect.
