Istanbul announces road closures, alternative routes until March 26

The Istanbul Governorate announced on Sunday a series of road closures and alternative routes, effective until Wednesday, March 26, as part of precautionary measures. These restrictions coincide with the extension of the ban on all gatherings, demonstrations, and press statements in the city.

The statement from the Governor’s Office detailed that additional roads would be closed to traffic starting March 19, with closures beginning at 4:00 p.m. local time on Sunday.

The following roads will remain closed to traffic until the measures are lifted:

• Fevzipasa Street
• Macar Kardesler Street
• 15 July Martyrs Street
• Sehzadebasi Street
• Vezneciler Street
• Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasa Street
• Ataturk Boulevard
• Sahil Kennedy Street (between Samatya and Sirkeci)
• Resadiye Street
• Ragip Gumuspala Street
• Galata Bridge and Ataturk Bridge, along with all connecting roads

For drivers, alternative routes include 10.Yil Street, Namik Kemal Street, Sahil Kennedy Street, and the E-5 D-100 highway. These routes are expected to ease traffic flow during the closure period.

The restrictions will remain in place until the end of the ban, which has been extended to March 26, to ensure public safety. On Saturday, Istanbul Governorate announced an extension of the ban on all gatherings and demonstrations across the city. Initially effective from March 19 to March 23, the ban now covers the period from March 23, at 12:01 a.m. local time, to March 26, at 11:59 p.m. It includes both open and closed-space gatherings, protests, press releases, sit-ins, commemorative events, and similar activities.