11 August 2023
The governments of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom collaborate to advance sustainable infrastructure development principles globally. The technical framework for this initiative was established by the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD). The Eurasia Tunnel became the inaugural transportation project worldwide to successfully complete the pilot phase of the "Blue Dot Network Certificate" (BDN), endorsing financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure investments. Over approximately three months, the Eurasia Tunnel Project underwent a thorough evaluation process by the OECD, covering environmental, social, economic, and governance aspects. On April 24, 2023, the United States government announced the successful completion of the pilot phase. According to the statement, the 5.4-kilometer Eurasia Tunnel, situated beneath the sea floor, is the world's first double-deck highway tunnel connecting the Asian and European continents. The project, located in the heart of Istanbul, is projected to generate efficiency savings of $4.1 billion over its lifespan and contributes to the preservation of the cultural heritage of this historic city.