Prime Minister Tayyip ERDOĞAN laid the foundation of “Istanbul – İzmir Highway and Gulf Passage Project” to be performed upon an investment of 11 billion TL. Erdoğan said “With this project, we are honoring our Republic which we shall celebrate its 87th anniversary and we are almost offering a Republic Day present to our country“. An opportunity for employment shall be offered to 50.000 people during the construction of giant project which shall reduce the traveling time between İstanbul – İzmit to 3.5 hours.