TURKEY: Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has awarded lowest bidder Dogus Insaat ve Ticaret a €564m contract covering civil and electrical works for a second metro line on the Asian side of the city. Rapid construction is envisaged for completion by the end of 2014.

Starting at the Üsküdar ferry terminal, the 16·9 km east-west line will have 16 stations serving the Ümraniye, Çekmeköy and Sancaktepe districts. A depot spur will take the total length to 20 route-km. EIB is providing a €479m loan for the project.

The first metro line on the Asian side will be the 22 km M4 between Kadiköy and Kartal, now nearing completion for opening by the end of this year.