Istanbul implements major coastal and water infrastructure projects

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) is implementing major infrastructure projects to enhance the city's coastal resilience and water security.

As part of a coastal revitalization initiative, the IBB is reinforcing aging piers and shorelines using advanced engineering solutions, such as steel piles and underwater concrete blocks, to protect against potential disasters. Key projects include the Eminönü–Unkapanı line, which is 93% complete and expected to open in October 2026, and a large-scale 168,000-square-meter coastal corridor in Büyükçekmece and Beylikdüzü slated for completion in June 2027. Other reinforcement works are underway in Arnavutköy and 17 other locations, including Ortaköy and Avcılar.

In a separate major development, the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) has officially opened the Kağıthane-Bahçelievler-Sefaköy drinking water tunnel. This underground system spans over 20 kilometers and has a capacity to transport 1.5 million cubic meters of water per day. The project, costing 17.11 billion lira, is designed to strengthen the water supply system for a large portion of the European side of Istanbul, ensuring long-term water security for the city's population.