Bridge Linking Asia To Europe Saves $856 Million, With $4.28 Billion More Expected In A Decade

The world’s longest suspension bridge is proving to be a game-changer for Turkey, with projected savings of $4.15 billion over the next decade.

Stretching between two continents, the remarkable 1915 Çanakkale Bridge has slashed travel time dramatically, cutting commutes by a staggering 93%.

Designed with efficiency in mind, the 2,023-meter-long structure has reshaped transportation between Asia and Europe.

The bridge connects Gelibolu, on the European side of Turkey, with Lapseki, situated in the country’s Asian region.

It spans the Dardanelles Strait, a critical waterway linking the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.

Previously, travelers had to rely on a 90-minute ferry ride to cross this passage. Now, thanks to the bridge, they can make the journey in just six minutes.

This transformation benefits not just commuters but also tourists and logistics networks, making cross-continental travel smoother and more efficient than ever.

Despite the historical reference in its name, construction on the bridge only began in March 2017, with its grand opening taking place five years later.

The name “1915” was chosen to commemorate an important Ottoman victory during World War I.

This battle set off a series of events that eventually led to the declaration of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

In another nod to history, the bridge’s exact length of 2,023 meters was deliberately chosen to mark the centennial celebration of the Turkish Republic in 2023.

Even the height of the bridge carries symbolic meaning. Standing at 318 meters, it represents March 18, the day Turkey honors the soldiers who lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign.

The massive span of the bridge also earns it the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge, surpassing Japan’s Akashi Kaikyo Bridge—built in 1998—by an additional 32 meters.

Constructing such an engineering marvel did not come cheap. The total cost of the bridge reached a staggering $2.7 billion.

However, the bridge is already paying off in multiple ways, delivering both financial and environmental benefits.

According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the bridge is expected to save the country €415 million annually—roughly $428 million—by reducing fuel consumption and lowering carbon emissions, as reported by AP.

In less than three years since its opening, these savings have already amounted to $856 million, according to official estimates.

Looking ahead, the bridge is projected to save a staggering $4.15 billion over the next ten years.

Given these figures, it’s clear that the massive initial investment is already proving its worth.