Istanbul’s Traffic Woes Continue: 89% Congestion During Iftar Hour
Istanbul, March 5 – Istanbul experienced significant traffic congestion on Thursday evening, reaching an alarming 89% across the city. The surge in traffic was largely attributed to the end of the workday coinciding with iftar preparations, as residents hurried to reach their homes.
European Side Gridlock
On the European side, the D-100 highway saw heavy, two-way congestion in the Mecidiyeköy area. Vehicles also moved slowly on the Beylikdüzü direction of the Haramidere section of the highway, as well as between Topkapı and Avcılar.
Both directions of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge were heavily congested. On the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, traffic volume extended all the way to the bridge entrance on the Anatolian-European direction. The TEM Motorway also saw vehicles struggling to move in the Edirne direction, particularly around Bahçeşehir and Mahmutbey Tolls.
Greenköy Halkalı Street experienced congestion in the Avcılar direction, while the Basın Ekspres Road saw slow-moving traffic in both directions at several points.
Anatolian Side Also Heavily Affected
The Anatolian side faced similar challenges. Traffic congestion on the D-100 highway began in Kadıköy and extended all the way to Kartal. On the TEM Motorway, significant density was observed between Ataşehir and Sultanbeyli, with congestion from Kavacık continuing towards Kadıköy.
Public Transport Hubs Overwhelmed
Beyond road traffic, major transfer points for metrobus and bus stops, as well as other public transport hubs, reported high passenger density. This indicates a widespread impact of the rush hour, affecting commuters using various modes of transportation.
According to data from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s (IMM) CepTrafik application, the overall traffic density throughout the city reached 89%.
The ongoing traffic issues highlight the challenges faced by Istanbul residents, especially during peak hours and significant cultural events like iftar during Ramadan. Authorities continue to seek solutions to alleviate the chronic congestion in the metropolis.
Source: sabah.com.tr
