The Endless Frustration: A 3-5 Minute Drive Turns into a 1-Hour Nightmare in Bakırköy
Citizens in Bakırköy are facing intense traffic issues due to a collapsed road in the Şenlikköy neighborhood on Kirserdar Street. The 200-meter section of the road has been closed for about 15 days now, causing frustration among residents.
Stone blocks and iron barriers have been placed to close the street, with a sign indicating that ground improvement work is being done for the Waste Water Tunnel. The road is expected to remain closed until March 31, 2025, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Koray Ekinci, a motorcycle courier in the area, expressed his concerns about the ongoing road work. He mentioned that the traffic congestion is particularly problematic as iftar time approaches, causing significant delays for motorists. Ekinci added, “Everyone is very tense. Motorcyclists can maneuver through the traffic, but other vehicles are facing serious problems. What used to be a 3-5 minute drive now takes up to 1 hour. People are really suffering.”
One resident named Mutlucan Şiyhan criticized the slow progress of the work being carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and İSKİ. He emphasized the lack of warnings or communication about the road closures, making it difficult for residents to plan their routes.
Taxi driver Murat Ateş and driver Hakan Selvitop also shared their frustrations about the prolonged traffic delays in the area. Ateş mentioned that what used to be a quick 3-minute drive now takes up to 15 minutes, while Selvitop reported being stuck in traffic for half an hour.
The residents are urging the authorities to expedite the road work and provide better communication to minimize the inconvenience caused by the collapsed road. As they continue to navigate through the traffic challenges, they hope for a swift resolution to the issue to restore normalcy to their daily commutes.
