Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 15 / Trend A.Taghiyeva /
In the first quarter of this year, Turkey has announced a tender for geological and engineering works within the "Canal Istanbul" project that will connect the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea, the Ministry of Transport, Shipping and Communications of Turkey told Trend on Tuesday.
After all the geological and engineering work that will take at least two years, Turkey will move to the construction part of the project, for which another tender is to be announced, the ministry said.
With regard to the route of the project, it will pass through the European part of Istanbul. Project implementation will begin in the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul's Silivri. Design length of "Canal Istanbul" is 45-50 km, depth is 25 meters, and the width is 145-150 meters.
The ministry said that the minimum cost of the "Canal Istanbul" project will amount to $20 billion. The project is expected to be completed by 2023.
The soil excavated from channel routing will be used in the construction of two islands in the Sea of Marmara, which will house tourist facilities, the source reported.
Intentions for project implementation were expressed by the Turkish Prime Minister in 2011 for the first time. The project aims at reducing the load of the Bosporus. It is assumed that cargo ships, mainly carrying fuel, will pass through the new channel.
