Istanbul came to a standstill on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, as heavy rainfall combined with the impact of a local football derby pushed traffic congestion to an unprecedented 90%. This severe gridlock led to widespread disruptions in transportation across both the Anatolian and European sides of the city.
Major Arteries and Bridges Affected
Vehicles struggled to move on roads connecting to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Haliç Bridge, and the Eurasia Tunnel. Significant traffic density was also reported across numerous points on the D-100 highway and the TEM Motorway throughout the city.
The combination of rush hour and adverse weather conditions intensified the traffic on main arteries, boulevards, and roads.
90% Traffic Congestion Reported
According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) traffic density map, congestion levels reached 90% on both the Anatolian and European sides of Istanbul during the evening hours.
Traffic at a Standstill
Commuters experienced major delays, particularly when crossing from the Anatolian to the European side, with traffic moving very slowly on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.
Gridlock Across the City
Traffic originating from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge’s Anatolian exit extended along the TEM Motorway all the way to the Ümraniye junction. The D-100 highway in the Kartal area experienced heavy congestion in the direction of Kadıköy, while traffic between Altunizade and Ataşehir was also severely impacted. The TEM Motorway’s Kurtköy Çamlıca Toll Booths also saw extremely slow-moving traffic.
European Side Drivers Faced Delays
On the European side, the D-100 highway, including the Haliç Bridge, Çağlayan, Mecidiyeköy, Zincirlikuyu, and the entrance to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, experienced heavy traffic in the direction of Ankara. The TEM Motorway, from Hasdal to Seyrantepe and extending to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, was also congested in both directions.
High Congestion on TEM Access Roads
Büyükdere Avenue in the Sarıyer direction, the Levent TEM Motorway access roads, the coastal road between Karaköy and Beşiktaş Square, and Barbaros Boulevard also reported significant traffic delays.
Two-Way Congestion on D-100
The D-100 highway in the Cevizlibağ area experienced heavy traffic in both directions, and traffic was slow-moving in the Haramidere Beylikdüzü direction.
Crowded Public Transportation Stops
In addition to road traffic, tram, metro, bus, and metrobus stops, as well as transfer points, were heavily crowded across the city, as commuters sought alternative modes of transport.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/istanbulda-trafik-resmen-durdu-yogunluk-yuzde-90a-ulasti-7489478
