Kabataş-Mahmutbey Metro Project Became a National Pride for Turkey

The Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey Metro Project of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality makes it to the finals at the “2017 AEC Excellence Awards”. Top three projects will be announced on Friday, 15 September.
The 22.5-kilometer Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey Metro Line, one of the largest subway projects of Istanbul has made it to the finals at the highly prestigious “2017 AEC Excellence Awards”, ranking 8th among 145 projects from 32 countries.
According to a written announcement by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the 22.5-kilometer Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey Metro Line, one of the largest metro investments of the metropolitan municipality, has already become a source of national pride.
The first ever driverless rail transit system to serve the European side of Istanbul, the metro project, together with the Third Airport Project, ranked among the top 8 among 145 projects from 32 countries that participated in the “2017 AEC Excellence Awards” in Las Vegas, USA, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the field.
Top three projects will be announced in Las Vegas on Friday, 15 September.
FIRST TIME IN TURKEY
“Building Information Modelling” (BIM) is becoming a standard feature of government contracts in the US and Europe, and is also used by countries like Dubai and Qatar, where some of the world’s most important projects are undertaken.
BIM requires the construction of a 3D computer model of a building’s architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems, and there currently are no corresponding regulations or specifications in Turkey. 5D BIM minimizes problems related to on-site production, and facilitates the monitoring of the building’s progress, in terms of both time and physical construction. 5D building information modelling minimizes quantity- and cost-related errors, facilitates the construction of the building, and prevents loss of time and resources.
FIRST TIME IN A PUBLIC PROJECT
This is the first public project to employ 5D BIM in Turkey. With a total cost of TL 3,71 billion, this is also the first large-scale infrastructure project to employ the model in the country.
The fact that the Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey Metro Line complies with 5D BIM standards, which is quite difficult to implement in infrastructure projects, coupled with the fact that the project ranked among the top eight projects that comply with those standards, demonstrates the point Turkey and Istanbul have reached in terms of metro technology.
Although 5D BIM is only in its initial stages in Turkey, the Rail Transit Systems Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality already requires this standard in all of its rail transport system contracts. This achievement of the metropolitan municipality has set an example for several projects in Istanbul and Turkey.
BACKBONE OF THE RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM
The 22.5-kilometer Kabataş-Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey Metro Line is the first project in Turkey whose contract requires 5D BIM. The line consists of 19 stations and 2 viaducts. Crossing eight major districts with considerable population density, the metro line is integrated into 14 metro lines, and will thus become part of the backbone of the city’s rail transit system.
Tunnel excavation work between Mecidiyeköy and Mahmutbey has already been completed, and excavation completion rate between Mecidiyeköy and Kabataş has reached 83%. The Mecidiyeköy-Mahmutbey section of the line is planned to be opened during the second half of 2018, while the Mecidiyeköy-Kabataş section is expected to become operational in 2019 due to the archaelogical excavation work at Beşiktaş station.
KABATAŞ-MAHMUTBEY SUBWAY INTEGRATION
At Kabataş Station: Kabataş - Taksim Funicular Line and Eminönü - Kabataş Tram Line
At Mecidiyeköy Station: Yenikapı - Hacıosman Subway Line
At Karadeniz Neighborhood: Topkapı - Sultançiftliği Line
At Mahmutbey Station: Bağcılar (Kirazlı) - Başakşehir Line
300 Driverless Cars. Passenger doors will for the first time be equipped with LCD Active Route Maps. Handicapped-Friendly Cars. Equipped with Mobile Phone Charging Units.
Travel Times Following Integration:
Beşiktaş - Mecidiyeköy 5.5 min.
Mecidiyeköy - Alibeyköy 7.5 min.
Çağlayan - Gaziosmanpaşa 13 min.
Beşiktaş - Sarıyer Hacıosman 25.5 min.
Mahmutbey - Mecidiyeköy 26 min.
Beşiktaş - Mahmutbey 31.5 min.
Mahmutbey - Yenikapı 39.5 min.
Mahmutbey - Sarıyer Hacıosman 45 min.
Mahmutbey - Üsküdar 48.5 min.
Mahmutbey - Kadıköy 52 min.
Mahmutbey - S. Gökçen 95.5 min.