Considerations and strategies behind the design and construction requirements of the Istanbul Strait immersed tunnel

This being a design-build project, the challenge faced during preparations of the Employer’s requirements for design and construction of the Istanbul Strait immersed tunnel was to give the contractor as much freedom as possible and yet specify enough so that the Employer obtained the required facility. When completed, this will be a world-class facility. This paper discusses on a strategic level many of the aspects to be presented by the author in two papers in later sessions of the day. Unusual features of this crossing include the deepest ever immersed tunnel crossing, extra waterproofing requirements, strong currents with bi-directional flow, close proximity of the North Anatolian Fault which is predicted to have a major seismic event during the life of the tunnel, and the method of connecting the adjacent bored tunnels to the immersed tunnel. Safety during tunnel construction and operation has been paramount, and resulted in changes to contract packaging and extra requirements. Other challenges discussed include fish migration, control of an international waterway, environmental issues and ensuring the stability of the soft soils during a seismic event.