Inaugurated in 2016, the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge, The third bridge over the Bosphorus links the European and Asian shores to the north of Istanbul. This mixed cable-stayed/suspended structure, designed by Michel VIRLOGEUX and Jean-François KLEIN, has remarkable technical features, with a total length of 2164 m, the main span of which measures 1408 m, a width of 58.50 m incorporating two railway tracks (project underway) and twice four road lanes, and a height of 322.00 m.It is operated by İçtaş-Astaldi.
This exceptional work requires very rigorous monitoring, carried out by setec diadès, through a complete cycle of inspection and monitoring over several years.
Our inspection teams were on hand in the summer of 2025 to carry out annual surveillance of this exceptionally large hybrid bridge, using special inspection equipment:
-teams of rope access technicians were on hand to ensure the safety of our inspectors
– walkways under the structure,
– and our Matrice 350 RTK drone, chartered for the occasion.
The external faces of the two pylons, over 320 metres high, were inspected using drone acquisition, 3D modelling and photogrammetry.
The aim is to produce a detailed map to compare changes since the last drone inspection, carried out in 2019.
Our congratulations go to all the staff involved in this project, who worked very closely together to ensure that all the work on this emblematic structure was completed on schedule.
