19 thousand people have visited the 2.775 feet long tunnel so far. The final countdown started in Marmaray project, which is one of the most important projects of the century that connects Asia and Europe with an undersea rail tunnel. It is the last 256 days for the undersea rail tunnel project for which the first underwater cutting was initiated in 2004. It is planned that the Marmaray the test drives of which will be commenced in May by energizing and for which 5 billon USD was spent, will be put into service on October 29, the Republic Day. 76 kilometres-long Marmaray Tunnel reduces the time of travel between Halkali – Gebze to 103 minutes and it has been carried out by the General Directorate of Railways, Harbours and Airports (DLH), Japanese Taisei Corporation, Gama – Nurol Consortium and Eurasia Consult. The Marmaray Tunnel will connect Asia and Europe by crossing the Bosporus with 1.4 kilometre-long tubes. Approximately in 103 minutes, it will be possible to reach from Halkali to Gebze and in 2 minutes of this time, the Bosporus will be passed.