Battalgazi Bridge
The Battalgazi Bridge (Turkish: Battalgazi Köprüsü), also known as the Euphrates Railway Bridge (Turkish: Fırat Demiryolu Köprüsü), is a 2,030 m (6,660 ft) long railway bridge spanning the Euphrates river in eastern Turkey, located about 27 km (17 mi) northeast of Malatya.
Battalgazi Bridge Battalgazi Köprüsü | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38.2711°N 38.3505°E |
| Carries | 1 track of the Fevzipaşa-Kurtalan railway |
| Crosses | Euphrates |
| Locale | Battalgazi, Malatya Province and Baskil, Elazığ Province |
| Named for | Battalgazi |
| Owner | Turkish State Railways |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 2,030 m (6,660 ft)[1] |
| Height | 60 m (200 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1981[1] |
| Construction end | 1986 |
| Inaugurated | 16 June 1986[1] |
| Replaces | Old Battalgazi Bridge |
| Location | |
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The structure was built between 1981-86 by the Turkish State Railways, on the Fevzipaşa-Kurtalan railway, as a replacement for an older bridge, opened in 1935, which was flooded with the construction of the Karakaya Dam.[1][2] The bridge was the longest bridge in Turkey from 1986 to 2007, when it was surpassed by the Bornova Viaduct in Izmir; and the longest railway bridge until 2008, when surpassed by the Sakarya Viaduct. Currently, it is the 7th longest bridge in the country and 2nd longest railway bridge.
References
- "Türkiye'nin En Uzun Fırat Demiryolu Köprüsü Teknik Özellikleri". rayhaber.com. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- "TCDD History". trainsofturkey.com. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
