Turkish President Erdogan inaugurated yesterday in a solemn ceremony a huge suspension bridge over the Dardanelles Strait connecting the continents of Asia and Europe.
The bridge, which is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world, was built by Turkish and South Korean companies with an investment of $ 2.8 billion. Erdogan chose to inaugurate the bridge on the anniversary of the Ottoman naval victory over the armies of France and Britain in World War I, in 1915.
The new bridge is one of the major infrastructure projects Erdogan has initiated since coming to power, including a new airport in Istanbul as well as tunnels and underground roads under the Bosphorus. Erdogan has announced that the price of moving a car on the new bridge will be $ 13.50.
In 2023 general elections are expected in Turkey, and according to Reuters, opinion polls show a slight decline in the popularity of Erdogan and his AK Party. The opposition believes there are chances of defeating Erdogan in next year’s election.