Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The bridge towers are taller than the Eiffel Tower.

2. 2

   It was designed by French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, who also designed the Millau Viaduct.

3. 3

   The project was completed in just 27 months, a record for a bridge of this scale.

4. 4

   The deck is designed to accommodate both heavy freight trains and high-speed passenger trains.

5. 5

   The bridge utilizes a hybrid design, combining the characteristics of a suspension bridge with those of a cable-stayed bridge to support the heavy rail load.

6. 6

   It is built to withstand high wind speeds common to the Black Sea entrance of the Bosphorus.

Overview

The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is one of the world's tallest suspension bridges, reaching a height of 322 meters. Located at the northern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait, it connects the European side in Sarıyer to the Asian side in Beykoz. The structure serves as a combined highway and rail crossing, featuring eight lanes for road traffic and two rail tracks. It is the third bridge to span the Bosphorus, designed to alleviate congestion by redirecting heavy transit traffic away from Istanbul’s city center. The bridge utilizes a hybrid suspension and cable-stayed system to provide stability for its high-speed rail capacity. Opened in 2016, it is part of the Northern Marmara Motorway project. The deck width measures 59 meters, making it one of the widest suspension bridges globally.

Insider tips

• Observe the bridge from the coastal villages of Garipçe on the European side or Poyrazköy on the Asian side for the best perspectives.

• Access to the bridge deck is restricted to motor vehicles only; pedestrians and cyclists are not permitted to cross.

• Check the Northern Marmara Motorway traffic cameras online before departure to avoid potential congestion on approach roads.