1915 Çanakkale Bridge, located in Turkey's Marmara Region, is a suspension bridge spanning the Dardanelles Strait, connecting the continents of Asia and Europe. The project, carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the General Directorate of Highways, was constructed using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The bridge was designed as part of the Malkara–Çanakkale Motorway Project and opened to service on March 18, 2022.

^{1915 Çanakkale Bridge (KGM)}

Technical Specifications

The bridge has a total length of 4,608 meters. Its main span is 2,023 meters, making it the world's longest mid-span suspension bridge. The tower height is 318 meters, a measurement that carries a symbolic reference to both the 100th anniversary of the Republic (2023) and March 18, 1915 (1+9+1+5=16 → 3+1+8+2+3=17+1=18). The towers are constructed with steel box sections. The road platform is 45.06 meters wide and has a capacity for three lanes in each direction.

Construction Process and Participants

The project was realized by a consortium of Turkish firms Limak and Yapı Merkezi, and South Korean firms DL E&C and SK Ecoplant. Advanced engineering techniques were employed during the construction process, and work was carried out under challenging marine conditions. The bridge's foundations were placed approximately 45 meters below sea level.

^{1915 Çanakkale Bridge (TRT Documentary)}

Strategic and Economic Importance

The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge creates an alternative route to the heavy traffic in the Istanbul Strait, ensuring uninterrupted transportation between Europe and the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. In this respect, it serves as a significant logistical axis not only regionally but also for international transportation. The project is also an infrastructure investment that directly contributes to the region's tourism, agriculture, and industry.

Symbolic and Historical Significance

The bridge's name and opening date were chosen in reference to the resistance shown by the Ottoman army at the Çanakkale Front during World War I. March 18, 1915, is the anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory, and in this context, the bridge aims to draw attention not only with its engineering but also with the meaning it imprints on historical memory.

^{1915 Çanakkale Bridge from the Perspective of Bayraktar TB2 (Baykar Technology)}

Sustainability and Environmental Sensitivity

Measures were taken to minimize environmental impacts during the project's construction and operation phases; various environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports were prepared to prevent negative effects on the marine ecosystem. Wildlife crossings were also planned along the motorway routes to protect natural habitats.