A bridge spanning 2,023 meters, connecting Europe and Asia, has claimed the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge. The 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in northwest Turkey, which opened in March 2022, surpasses the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan by 32 meters. Construction of the bridge over the Dardanelles Strait commenced in 2017, resulting in a significant reduction in travel times by up to 93%.

The bridge has eliminated the need for 90-minute ferry journeys, offering a quicker and more efficient transportation route. Named in honor of the country, the bridge’s length and title pay tribute to Turkey’s history.

The 1915 reference commemorates the Ottoman victory in World War I and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Symbolically, the bridge’s 2,203-meter span corresponds to the year 2023, marking the centenary of the republic’s founding. President Erdogan disclosed that the bridge’s construction cost €2.5 billion.

While celebrating the completion of the project, Erdogan expressed the significance of the bridge, describing it as a symbol of new beginnings for Canakkale. Despite currently holding the record for the world’s longest suspension bridge, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge faces potential competition from Italy’s proposed bridge to Sicily, which aims to surpass it with a span of 3,300 meters.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni emphasized the proposed bridge’s importance as an investment in Italy’s future. However, concerns have been raised regarding potential challenges such as seismic activity, strong sea currents, and disruption of bird migration patterns. Plans for a bridge across the Strait of Messina have been revisited multiple times over the years, with various proposals and cancellations.