Atatürk Bridge, Highway bridge over Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey
The Atatürk Bridge is a highway viaduct spanning the Golden Horn, connecting the neighborhoods of Unkapanı and Azapkapı. It stretches 477 meters across the waterway with a 25-meter width and carries four lanes for vehicle traffic.
The current structure opened in 1940 and is the fourth bridge at this location, with the original Hayratiye Bridge dating to 1836 under Sultan Mahmud II. The site evolved from a simple crossing to a modern transportation solution.
The bridge bears the name of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, marking the shift from Ottoman infrastructure to modern Turkish engineering. It forms a vital link in the daily rhythm of Istanbul, connecting two busy neighborhoods across the water.
The bridge experiences heavy vehicle traffic during the day and serves as a main crossing for cars heading between the neighborhoods. Pedestrians and cyclists should note that it is designed exclusively for motor vehicles and not for other modes of transport.
Before the current concrete structure, three different bridges occupied this location, including an iron bridge built by French engineers in 1875. That earlier bridge represented an impressive engineering feat for its era.
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