Density Peaks On The First Workday Due To Light Rain; Vehicle Queues On Main Arteries Stretched From Tuzla To The Eurasia Tunnel
ISTANBUL, Turkey – Istanbul started the first workday of the week with a record level traffic crisis. According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Traffic Density map, congestion reached levels of 90 percent on the Asian Side and 89 percent on the European Side around 8:30 AM. Under the effect of light rain, traffic movement on main arteries came almost to a standstill.
📝 Section 1: The Cause Of Density And IMM Data
The light rain coinciding with the first workday of the week brought the already dense morning commute to a near stop.
- Density Peak: The congestion reaching 90 percent showed that drivers and public transport users across the city were struggling greatly to move.
- Main Arteries: Traffic moved heavily on the D-100 highway, the TEM Motorway, coastal roads, and all connecting routes. Therefore, drivers were forced to wait in exceptionally long queues.
🚗 Section 2: Chaos On The European Side
Critical points on the D-100 highway and the TEM Motorway on the European Side were completely blocked.
- D-100 Line: Mecidiyeköy saw high density on both the Ankara and Edirne directions of the D-100 highway. Traffic was two-way at the Avcılar location, and congestion severely increased on the Edirne direction between Beylikdüzü and Tüyap.
- TEM and Connections: Drivers struggled significantly to move in the Esenyurt and Bahçeşehir locations on the TEM connector roads. Furthermore, traffic on the motorway often came to a complete halt on the Ankara direction in the Firuzköy and Ispartakule areas.
🌉 Section 3: Agony On The Asian Side
On the Asian Side, density peaked at bridge and tunnel entrances.
- D-100 and Tunnel: Congestion on the D-100 highway started from Tuzla and extended all the way to the entrance of the Eurasia Tunnel, which is critical for the Asia-Europe crossing.
- Bridge Approaches: Traffic starting from Sancaktepe on the TEM Motorway intensified in the Ataşehir and Üsküdar areas. Traffic moved slowly from Altunizade all the way to the entrance of the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. Significant delays were also experienced on the Şile Motorway between Altunizade and Ümraniye.
🚌 Section 4: Public Transport Under Burden
The paralysis on the highways caused the commuter load to shift to public transport.
- Metrobus Agony: Crowds formed, especially at metro, Metrobus, and bus transfer points. As a result, commuters waiting at Metrobus stops faced severe difficulties getting onto the already full vehicles.
Istanbul Traffic Congestion 90 Percent reached maximum levels, causing significant loss of time and patience for residents on the first day of the week.
