Drivers heading west out of Istanbul at night should plan for delays this month. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Transportation Management Center has announced nightly closures on the D-100 highway, still widely known as the E-5, on the Edirne-bound side of the Küçükçekmece Viaduct.
The works began on October 9 and are scheduled to run until October 21, 2026. Each night the affected section is closed from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., according to Türkiye Today. The announced closure covers only the Edirne-bound direction.
Why the viaduct is being worked on
Crews are replacing expansion joints on the viaduct. These joints are the gaps built into bridges and elevated roads that let the structure expand and contract with temperature changes without cracking or suffering other damage. Worn joints can make for a rough ride and, over time, can harm the structure itself, which is why they are typically replaced during low-traffic overnight hours.
How to get around it
During the closure hours, vehicles traveling toward Edirne are being diverted onto the northern service road of the D-100, where traffic continues in a controlled way. Motorists are asked to follow traffic signs and temporary diversion markings through Küçükçekmece.
Anyone driving from the city toward Avcılar, Beylikdüzü, Büyükçekmece or beyond late at night should allow extra time. Those with flexible schedules may prefer to set off before 11 p.m. Navigation apps generally reflect such closures, but signage on the ground takes priority.
The D-100 is one of Istanbul's busiest arteries, and maintenance work is common. Residents can follow the municipality's traffic channels and the Transportation Management Center for any changes to the schedule, since roadworks timetables can shift because of weather or technical issues.
For many late-night trips across the western districts, the Marmaray and metrobus may be an alternative worth considering while the works continue.
Sources
Photo: Dominik Krebs / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
