Taksim tunnel project in Istanbul completed

The Taksim project's pedestrianization to carry traffic underground was completed on Friday with the opening of the tunnels connecting Tarlabasi and Cumhuriyet boulevards, where traffic started flowing at 9 a.m. (EET).    The underpass with an approximately 4,500 square metre bus station area also includes an escalator and elevator to enable disabled persons access to the square and subway. Mehmet Hakan, who was the first person to pass the tunnel on his motorcycle,  said the new tunnel would ease transportation.