œ615m Turkish project to create world's second longest suspension bridge - Kvaerner named for Izmit bridge

The Kvaerner-led Anglo Japanese Turkish Consortium (AJTC) has been appointed preferred bidder for a œ615 million privately financed Izmit Bay Crossing project in Turkey for the Turkish Ministry of Public Works and Settlement.

The bridge will be built at the eastern end of the Sea of Marmara, some 50km from Istanbul. It will form a spur running southwards from the existing Istanbul to Ankara highway, providing access to the south-western region of Turkey.

The project comprises a major suspension bridge with a total length of 3.3km together with interchanges and highway. The bridge and highway will provide a dual three-lane route across Izmit Bay. The 1,688m long main span will make the suspension bridge the second longest in the world.

Besides Kvaerner AJTC consists of the Japanese trading houses of Itochu and Marubeni, the Japanese contractors IHI, MHI and NKK and Turkish contractor, Enka.

Kvaerner has a one third share in the project. Kvaerner Construction will carry out civil works, while Kvaerner Cleveland Bridge is already involved in the design for the structural steel superstructure. It will also be involved with the on site erection of the steel deck and associated works.