1915 Çanakkale Bridge, Türkiye

Together, we design a world record-breaking bridge for the 21st century

About

Challenge

Traveling by ferry between the European and Anatolian sides of the Çanakkale Strait takes 30 minutes or more. There was a need to reduce travel times and ease ferry traffic between Europe and Asia by adding an alternative transportation route.

Solution

Together with the client, we designed a world-record main-span suspension bridge spanning 2,023 metres. To ensure aerodynamic stability, a twin-box girder was adopted.

Value

The bridge has reduced travel time, enhanced national road network integration and boosted economic activity in the region.

Specifications

Facts

Long main span: 2023 metres. Long side spans: 770 metres.

Bridge

The first fixed crossing over Çanakkale Strait has halved the travel time from the Gelibolu province to the Lapseki province and further enhanced the national road network integration.

Location

Connecting the European and Anatolian sides of the Çanakkale Strait in Türkiye

Period

2017–2022

Country

Türkiye

Partners

DL E&C, Limak, SK ecoplant and Yapi Merkezi - DLSY

Services

Suspension bridge design; approach bridge design; construction engineering; ship impact assessment; structural health monitoring system design; corrosion protection plan preparation; inspection and maintenance planning.

Photo: ÇOK AS

Imagine working closely with 400 colleagues on one project

The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Türkiye connects Europe and Asia and is currently the world’s longest suspension bridge with a 2,023-metre-long main span.

The area where the bridge is located is marked by several challenges such as high winds, high seismic activity, soft soils, huge tanker ships, bulk carriers and high-stacked container ships. To ensure the aerodynamic stability of the long-span suspension bridge, a twin-box girder was adopted.

The innovative mega-engineering structure was built on challenging ground conditions to resist potential ship impacts, high winds and major seismic activity. Built with appropriate high-strength steel in a comparatively short time, the bridge enabled safe and durable operations.

“It has been incredible to follow this project from when we signed the consultancy agreement in the spring of 2017, over the first drawings through to the final bridge in just five years. 400 colleagues from COWI have contributed to this achievement, and it is truly gratifying to witness the final bridge open for traffic, cementing its role in promoting safety and serving the community in the region.”

Inger Kroon, Project Director, Transportation International, COWI

The new bridge and motorway feature three lanes in each direction, which eased traffic congestion, reduced travel time, improved road safety and further enhanced the national road network integration.

Photo: ÇOK AS

As the lead engineer, COWI was responsible for the detailed design of all permanent works, including the deck, tower, foundations and cable systems. In addition, COWI provided construction engineering services for deck erection.

More than 400 colleagues from COWI were involved during the five-year project phase.