First Undersea Tunnel That Links Europe and Asia (The Marmaray Project)

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- In this video, the fist in series ‘Mega rail projects’, we discuss one of the greatest engineering feats the Republic of Turkey has ever attempted to realize - the Marmaray Project.

Combining the names of the Sea of Marmara and “ray” which means “rail” in Turkish, the Marmaray Project includes a 13.6 km (8.5 mi) long undersea railway tunnel and the upgrade of 63 km (39 mi) of suburban rail lines, with the aim to create a 76.6 km (47.6 mi) high-capacity passenger railway line between Gebze, on the Asian side of Istanbul, and Halkalı, on the European side.

What maked this project even more interesting, is the fact it represents THE FIRST (PHYSICAL) RAILWAY LINK between Europe and Middle East.

Beside that, the city of Istanbul, like many others, is being crippled by heavy road traffic, air pollution and limited high-capacity transport systems. The Marmaray Project was aimed to resolve many of these issues by providing a rail link beneath the Istanbul Strait. For example, in 2019 only, it contributed the Istanbul transit system with 124 million transported passengers.

In addition, much more is expected from Marmaray line in the future, in terms of both, the passenger and the freight traffic, especially within the context of One Belt One Road initiative, and the transport of freight between China and Europe.

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[RailwaysExplained]

We just had a small conversation with one of the experts and a colleague who was engaged on Marmaray project, and we are happy to share with you a couple of details not mentioned in the video:

1. A complex floodgate system was made as part of the project with the aim to make possible to isolate the immersed tunnel section in case of flooding;

2. The presence of the two signaling systems in the tunnel (CBTC and ETCS) allows mixed traffic (simultaneous passage of the intercity and commuter trains);

3. The presence of train control monitoring system in both Europe and Asia allows to check some parameters of freight trains before they enter the section of the immersed tunnel, and

4. Immersed tunnel (the undersea section of tunnel of length of 1, 4 km) consists of 11 sections lowered via barges on the Bosphorus.

[loccusloccus]

Thumbs up, from someone who is following this project closely for many years. A few additions:
1. There are multiple stations along the line, corresponding with the remaining metro system of Istanbul, making Marmaray the backbone of public transportation in Istanbul, as it is the only line linking the entire network together.
2. Yenikapi is the most important transportation hub, connecting the M1 and M2 Metro lines with Marmaray. Further important transfer stations are Uskudar and Ayrilik Cesmesi on the asian side, with connections to M5 and M4 Metro and Sogutlucesme with connections to the Metrobus and the YHT high speed train which is connecting Istanbul with Ankara and Konya. On the european side, there is Sirkeci with connections to the trolley line, and many more transfer stations to come in the future, as the metro system is expanding substantially.
3. The tunnel section itself, between Kazlicesme and Ayrilik Cesmesi, is unfortunately only double tracked, while the remaining surface network was extended to 3 tracks and in certain areas even up to 4 or 5 tracks to allow passage of trains.
4. As dangerous freight will not be allowed through the tunnel section, there are plans to revitalize the traject (train ferry) between the 2 main train stations of Istanbul, at Sirkeci on the European side and Haydarpasa on the Asian side.

5. Speaking of these 2 central stations. They are currently out of order, but at least work on re-establishing Haydarpasa, as the main train station on the Asian side, has been started, with Marmaray tracks being currently laid to reach this station. Haydarpasa will serve as terminus for the YHT high speed trains to Ankara and Konya.

[DanielsUKT]

This link is important not only for the people of Istanbul but also for Europe-Asia rail connections great video

[savasgenc]

Excellent video. Fun fact: the flag on video at 2:32 is actually not the flag of the modern Turkey. It's a variation of flag of Ottoman Empire (kinda a period of late 1800s and early 1900s). Different proportion and direction of crescent and star

[milosstanojevic]

Very nice and informative, well done Railways Explained!

[DerArmordesTodes]

Your videos are very professional, you absolutely deserve more subscribers! I'm very excited about the upcoming videos of this new series.

[gardengeek]

Just the right amount of detail. Thank you.
Glad to see some Norwegian innovation was included.

[routeqatar]

Will love to try the Istanbul metro trough the tunnel next time in Istanbul.

[v.m.]

Sehr gutes Video! ich liebe die Stimme des Erzählers und ich finde die Geschichte über Marmaray sehr interessant. Danke

[donberg]

The best in information is your exceptional vids!

[michaelf]

I rode this in 2018. Very impressive! I think parts had just opened. But it's well integrated with the rest of the metro.

[Lotplayz]

As someone who has rode this in June 2023 the underground tunnel between Europe and asia is pretty quick 2-3 minutes

[unjustifiablyneglectedtopi]

There wasn't any rail link between European and Asian side of Istanbul before Marmaray?? I'm shocked :O

[klikeras]

Nice video! Good job 👌 Beautiful content! 🤗

[daokedao]

Thank you for this again an amazing and informative video!

[jelenadjokic]

From video to video you are better and better. Keep it up Railways Explained team.

[theavastspy]

Nice video. A little mistake: the line at 1:44 is from Europe to Europe. Asia is not in the picture.

[prirodnjaktv]

Nice video! Well done Railways Explained !! Beautiful content!

[xiaoka]

You don’t explain how the China trains magically cross the Caspian Sea. ;-)

[SZfan]

I ride with this railway like 3 years ago and is perfect👌👌💪💪.