156 Kilometres of Tunnels Planned in IstanbulThe Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality targets 156 kilometres of new highway tunnels to improve the urban traffic in the city. The municipality has already launched tenders for five highway tunnels. To find solutions to the current traffic congestion problem in the city, massive investments are needed in roads and highways, as well as in rail and sea commuting. The planned tunnels will provide solutions to get rid of central city traffic jams at congested crossings. A YTL22.5 billion transportation investment programme is to be completed until 2012. A 3.8 km twin bored tunnel has already been awarded as part of this programme. Click tr/29. The other planned highway tunnels in Istanbul will be the following routes: Üsküdar-Harem, Üsküdar-Çengelköy, Kadiköy (Modaburnu)-Yogurtçu Parki, Kuzguncuk-Beylerbeyi-Vaniköy-Küçüksu, Armutlu-Tarabya, Unkapi-Vatan Caddesi-Samatya, Kadirgalar-Fulya-Ortaköy Vadi-Kuruçesme, Bebek-Baltalimani, Taksim-Havaalani, Tophane-Iplikçi, Sishane-Tophane, Kasimpasa-Taskizak-Hasköy, Eyüp tunnel, and Çengelköy-Hekimbasi. Visit www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/Haberler/HaberDetay.html?HaberId=23302In addition the Ministry of transportation's general directorate of railways, harbours and airports (DLH) invites tenders for the road tunnel crossing under the Bosphorus. Click tr/30 and read E-News Weekly 43/2006 for details. 05/07.