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when we finish it at the end of the year, it
will also make that road more usable. A
person living in Bursa will be able to go to
the Sabiha Gökçen airport in 45 minutes. Of
course, these are extraordinary outcomes.
Therefore, the numbers being around 15-16
thousand today, earlier than one month, is
an expected situation. In the projections we
had foreign firms make for us, the number at
the opening was 13,500 vehicles. It is seen
that it is above the first projection and it will
rise quickly.
As for the government guarantee; giving a
guarantee for a traffic number is indispensible
for build-operate-transfer projects. It is
impossible to finance these projects, to find
financing model for these projects. Revenue
Will the completion of the project occur on must be known. It is not possible to get
15 March 2020 as stipulated in the contract, loans over an uncertain revenue, to develop
or do is there a plan to finish earlier? a financial model with the banks. Therefore
a minimum passage guarantee is given to
In line with our present data, it is planned to all build-operate-transfer projects in Turkey
complete the project at the end of 2019 and and in the world. Or, some of them have
open it to traffic. government buying guarantee. For example,
as in power plants.
We know that Osmangazi Bridge was opened
on 30 June and it was permitted to use the To reach almost half of the guaranteed traffic
bridge during the 9-day Ramazan Holiday in only 20 days is a great success for a BOT
for free; paid passages started in the second project. You know that, the targets to reach
week of July. As far as we learned from the the given guarantees in BOT projects vary
news in the press, as of 26 July, in the 15-day between 7 and 10 years. As a consequence
period, a total of 100,000 vehicles passed of our government’s contributions to lower
through the bridge, which corresponds to the bridge fares, the indicated traffic figures
about 6 thousand vehicles per day. Can we were reached in one month.
have some detail on that?
Are you preparing a documentary film/book
First of all, I must point out that the figure or similar documents that will cover the
of 5.000- 6.000 that appeared in the press technological and historical process of this
is not the right number. We started paid great project since its beginning?
service on 7 July. According to the results
obtained on 30 July, the average of 23 In the construction process of Osmangazi
days is a number around 15 thousand, 16 Bridge, its video was recorded and compiled
thousand. Therefore the figure of 5.000- to document the progress of this structure.
6.000 is not correct, there is a traffic at least In addition, documentary works are under
three times that. But, of course this traffic way related with the history of the whole
is below the guaranteed traffic. But this is project.
something that we have foreseen, expected.
In this type of infrastructure service, if there
is an alternative, it takes time for people to
season, discount and outlet products. These change their habits and ours is even not one
are not locations where needs are satisfied month old. Even in this period of 20 days we
and left. They are locations to be visited and can see the rising trend in the traffic in these
seen, to have shopping experience on the 20 days.
new road, to pass time. Motorway Shopping-
Resting-Recreation areas will address all People change their habits, they test, after
income groups in a very wide range. We will testing if they get satisfaction they tell their
see many shops from restaurants to coffee friends, people learn. This has been always
houses and big market chains. From ready- like this. After the opening of Bosphorus
made wear brands to some new entries to Bridges, for example Fatih Sultan Mehmet
Turkey; we will see them for the first time Bridge, the number of vehicles passing
on this route. The first two of these, Gebze thorough the bridges was quite low. Even
Oksijen AVM and Orhangazi AVM have been there were criticizing articles that asked, why
commissioned. Also, there is a Museum did we need this bridge?
in Gebze Oksijen AVM that presents the
technological and histroical details of the Of course there are also other habits. Such
Motorway and Bay Bridge, which is unique as adopting the use of a certain route. These
in Turkey, along with an exhibition area. all will take time. As I said, this is a situation
we had expected. The second one is that only
Our purpose is to be able to present our 53 kilometers of a 400-kilometer motorway
people with smart/safe travels that provide is in service today, the section up to Gemlik.
saving in time and fuel, gives the opportunity We thank the CEO of Otoyol Inc. for the
of entertainment, profitable shopping and Therefore, when the subsequent sections enlightening information he provided.
food, which give them the opportunity to are completed and put into service, the
access on the road what they experience/like traffic will become more attractive. Our goal Reportage: Meral SARI CEYLAN
in the city. is to connect the section between Gemlik-
Bursa at the end of the year. For example,
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