Rain locks up traffic in Istanbul: Density reaches 89 percent

The rainfall that was effective in Istanbul during the morning hours increased the traffic density commonly seen on the first workdays of the week. While vehicles came to a standstill in some places on main arteries across the city, density rose to 74 percent according to data from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mobile Traffic Map.

Traffic density on the Anatolian Side was measured at 89 percent. The congestion, which began in Tuzla on the D-100 highway, extended to the entrance of the Eurasia Tunnel. Traffic, which increased around Sultanbeyli on the TEM Highway, showed its effect up to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge route.

In the direction of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, vehicles moved slowly from Ataşehir to the bridge entrance. On the Şile Highway, it was observed that traffic flow slowed down between Altunizade and Ümraniye.

On the European Side, density was recorded at the 63 percent level. On the D-100 highway, vehicles moved slowly around Avcılar, Saadetdere, Bakırköy, Zeytinburnu, Merter, Cevizlibağ, the Haliç Bridge, Halıcıoğlu, and Edirnekapı. Traffic congestion was also experienced in the direction of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge.

Traffic flow also slowed down due to density at the Ispartakule, Esenyurt, Bahçeşehir, Saadetdere, and Beylikdüzü locations of the TEM Highway.

The rainy morning affected not only road traffic but also public transportation. Passenger crowds formed at tram, metro, bus, and metrobus stops. At transfer centers such as Zincirlikuyu, Cevizlibağ, Uzunçayır, and Altunizade, citizens waited in lines to board vehicles.

News Source: 12punto