After the opening of the Çiğli Tram, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will open the Narlıdere Metro on February 24. According to prepared report, with the opening of the line that will connect Evka 3 and Narlıdere, approximately 13,500 trips made by private vehicles throughout the city every day will shift to public transportation. 7,750 vehicles will be prevented from entering traffic.
As the only local government to make all metro investments in the city with its own resources, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality is counting the days for the opening of the Narlıdere Metro, which will connect Bornova Evka-3 and Narlıdere. Preparations for the February 24 opening ceremony are in full speed, and it is expected to reduce the number of trips made by private vehicles across the city, especially in Balçova and Narlıdere, once the line is put into service.
7,750 vehicles are expected to be withdrawn from traffic
A survey was conducted in Izmir city center within the scope of SUMP Izmir Project (Izmir Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) carried out by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Transportation. According to the results of the household survey, it was observed that the rate of private car use in Balçova and Narlıdere districts was higher than the city as a whole. This rate was determined as 46.7 percent in Balçova and 58.3 percent in Narlıdere. The opening of the line and its effects were tested in the demand forecasting model made within the scope of the Transportation Master Plan. According to the analysis, with the opening of the metro line between Fahrettin Altay and Narlıdere, it is estimated that approximately 13,500 daily trips made by private vehicles in the city will shift to public transportation, thus reducing the daily traffic load of approximately 7,750 vehicles. This relief in traffic will largely be seen in Narlıdere and Balçova, but will also have an impact on traffic in the city as a whole. In addition, it is planned that passengers will be able to park their vehicles and transfer thanks to the parking lot with a capacity of 219 vehicles built at Balçova and Kaymakamlık stops.
170,000 daily passengers
Starting from Evka-3 and ending at Fahrettin Altay, the line will include Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Güzel Sanatlar, Narlıdere, Şehitlik and Kaymakamlık stations, respectively. Tunneling and track laying works have been completed. A total of 14.5 kilometers of tunnels were opened. Electromechanical works are ongoing along the line and at the stations. The daily average number of passengers is expected to be 170,000 when the line is opened.
€285 million investment
Izmir Light Rail System 4th Stage F. Altay-Narlıdere Kaymakamlık Construction Work was delivered to the contractor on June 4, 2018 with a contract price of €252 million. This cost reached 285 million Euros with the increase in exploration. With the completion of the line, a total of 27 kilometers of uninterrupted rail transportation service will be provided between Bornova district in the north of Izmir and Narlıdere district in the south. Izmir residents will have safe, comfortable, environmentally friendly and economical rail transportation and will save time. Passengers boarding at one end will reach the other end in 45 minutes. The length of the highway between the two ends is approximately 47 kilometers.
