Eurasia Underwater Tunnel

In the tunnel opening ceremony, Choi Kwang-cheol, president of SK E&C (third from the left), is posing for a photo shoot with employees of Yapi Merkezi.
In the tunnel opening ceremony, Choi Kwang-cheol, president of SK E&C (third from the left), is posing for a photo shoot with employees of Yapi Merkezi.

 

An external view of Eurasia Submarine Tunnel.
An external view of Eurasia Submarine Tunnel.

 

SK E&C announced on December 21 that it completed a 5.4km-long double-layer "Eurasia Submarine Tunnel" through the Bosphorus Strait that dissects Istanbul between Asia and Europe on December 20 (local time).

SK E&C won the project in 2008. The global contractor started the construction of the tunnel in January 2013 and opened it in 48 months. Even after the completion of the tunnel, SK E&C will secure profits from its operation as the company will be in charge of its maintenance and operation until 2041.

Eurasia Underwater Tunnel is the first double-layer tunnel for cars connecting Europe and Asia. The tunnel cost US$ 1.24 billion in total.

"Eurasia Underwater Tunnel will provide a variety of benefits in economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects by providing quality transportation services to Istanbul citizens," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended the opening ceremony in Istanbul. "In addition, the tunnel will boost the international status of Turkey with world-class tourism."

"Eurasia Underwater Tunnel is a high-profit development-type project unlike low-profit ones which have been focused on by Korean builders," said Choi Kwang-cheol, president of SK E&C. "We will continue to create our success stories like the tunnel."

 

Copyright © BusinessKorea. Prohibited from unauthorized reproduction and redistribution