Turkey's Bosphorus tunnel to open sub-sea Asia link

One of two bridges traversing the Bosphorus, which
separates Istanbul's European and Asian shores
A railway tunnel underneath the Bosphorus Strait
is due to open in Turkey, creating a new link
between the Asian and European shores of
Istanbul.
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has for
years championed the undersea engineering project,
conceived by an Ottoman sultan in 1860.
Work began in 2004 but archaeological excavations
delayed the construction.
Japan gave $1bn towards the $4bn total cost of the 0.8
mile (1.4 km) tunnel, designed to withstand
earthquakes.
It is scheduled to be inaugurated at 13:00 GMT.
'Pharaonic'
The BBC's James Reynolds in Istanbul says that now the
tunnel is finished, the Turkish government hopes the
new route under the Bosphorus will eventually develop
into an important trading route, extending from China
all the way to western Europe.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be at the
inauguration
Critics of Mr Erdogan have seen the tunnel as one of his
grandiose construction projects for the city where he
used to be mayor.
Detractors of his proposals, including a third airport, a
parallel canal and a third bridge, say they illustrate Mr
Erdogan's "pharaonic" ambitions.
Authorities came under fire earlier this year when
protesters opposed plans to redevelop a park in
Istanbul. Widespread violence between anti-
government demonstrators and security forces ensued.
The rail tunnel will not be fully operational after its
official opening on Tuesday, the news agency AFP
reports.
"The part that is in service is very limited. All that has
been delayed until much later," said Tayfun Kahraman,
president of the Istanbul Chamber of Urban Planners.
"We are wondering why this inauguration is happening
so soon."
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be present at the
official opening in recognition of the Bank of Japan's
status as the project's principal financial backer.
City officials say the tunnel will relieve pressure on the
two existing bridges, as well as ease traffic congestion
and pollution.