Istanbul is Shut Down in order to ban May Day celebration in Taksim

Banning the May Day celebrations in Taksim, Istanbul Governorate closed all roads leading to Taksim Square to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Along with the roads leading to Taksim Square, the vicinity of Beşiktaş, Şişli, Mecidiyeköy, Okmeydanı, Dolmabahçe, Kabataş, Karaköy were closed to vehicle traffic as well.

Also, several services in public transportation were cancelled.

The declaration of Istanbul Governorate mentioned, "Taksim Square and it's vicinity; since it's not appropriate for crowd meetings and demonstration, the vehicle and pedestrian traffic in this zone is heavy, the tourism potential is so high and the hotels are in service 7-24, and also in case of being out of control it would be difficult to evacuate the demonstrators and other people in the area, the security of life and property would be in danger, public safety would be disturbed, protecting the public security will be impossible.  Therefore, Taksim Square and its vicinity are considered inappropriate for 1st of May Labor and Solidarity Day".

Previously, the Governorate shut down the Istanbul in 2013 and 2014, in order to prevent the May Day celebrations in Taksim. On May 1 of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, May Day celebration was held on Taksim Square thanks to the struggle of unions and NGOs.

Closed roads

Şişli, Mecidiyeköy and its vicinity

* Taksim direction will be closed to traffic in the intersection of Şişli Mecidiyeköy Ortaklar Avenue and, the traffic will be led to Esentepe direction on Ortaklar avenue.

* Şişli Bomonti Tunnel will be closed to traffic for the direction of Dolmabahçe, and the traffic will be led to Çağlayan and Piyale Paşa Boulevard through Akar Avenue.

* Şişi Kuştepe intersection will be closed to traffic, and the traffic will be lead to Çağlayan direction.

* Şişli direction will be closed to traffic in the intersection of Çağlayan Hürriyettepe.

*The traffic leading from Darülaceze direction to Okmedyanı direction will be closed to traffic in the intersection of Okmeydanı and, traffic will be led to Odese Boulevard.

Beşiktaş-Ortaköy-Dolmabahçe vicinity

* The traffic leading from Ortaköy Çırağan Avenue to Beşiktaş direction will be closed, and led to Dereboyu Avenue and Bebek direction.

The traffic from Beşiktaş Eski Yıldız Avenue, Barbaros Boulevard and by-streets will be led to Balmumcu Crossroad Zincirlikuyu direction.

*Nişantaşı Crossroad will be closed to traffic for the direction of Rumeli Avenue, the traffic will be led from Nişantaşı crossroad to Fulya direction.

* The direction of Teşvikiye Hüsrev Gerede Avenue will be closed to traffic.

* The direction of Şair Nedim Avenue will be closed to traffic in the intersection of Ihlamur, the traffic will be led to Fulya direction.

* The traffic leading to Kadırgalar Avenue Taksim and Küçük Çiftlik Avenue will be closed and led to Bomonti Tunnel direction.

* The traffic leading from Barbaros Boulevard to Beşiktaş direction will be closed in the intersection of Balmumcu.

Okmeydanı-Piyalepaşa-Kasımpaşa vicinity

* The traffic leading from Piyalepaşa Boulevard to Okmeydanı direction will be closed and led to Sadabat Viaduct direction.

* The traffic leading from Piyalepaşa Boulevard to Dolapdere direction will be closed for the direction of Taksim Yedikuyular, and the traffic will be led back to Piyalepaşa Boulevard.

The traffic leading from the traffic lights to Şişhane Tarlabaşı Boulevard will be closed, and the traffic will be led to Hasköy direction.

Unkapanı-Galata bridges

* The traffic leading from Unkapanı Bridge to Taksim direction will be closed at the entrance of the bridge and it will be led to Ragıp Gümüş Pala and Abdülezelpaşa Avenue.

*The direction from Sirkeci to Galata Köprüsü Karaköy will be closed to traffic. The traffic will be led to Ragıp Gümüş Pala Avenue.

Bosphorus bridge exit and E-5 highway

* Bosphorus Bridge will be closed to traffic for the arrivals from north (Sait Çiftçi) at the junction of Beşiktaş Ortaköy, and led to Haliç direction.

*If required, the junction of E-5 highway north direction and Mecidiyeköy will be closed to traffic and led to Çağlayan Haliç direction.

* If required, also the junction of E-5 highway south direction and Mecidiyeköy will be closed to traffic and led to Zincirlikuyu Levent direction.

Saraçhane Public Park vicinity

* Fevzipaşa Avenue, Macar Kardeşler Avenue, Atatürk Boulevard

Beyazıt Square

* Ordu Avenue

Public transportation

IETT

Except the closed roads, the weekend’s bus schedule will be applied.

Metro-funicular

The funicular services between Taksim-Kabataş will be cancelled. The metro services will be available only between Levent-Hacıosman stations; there will be no metro services between Levent-Yenikapı.

Ferry

No announce was made regarding the service cancellations. Sunday and bank holiday’s service schedule will be applied.

Marmaray

It will be available, but Sirkeci station will be out of service.

Airspace

The flight of air vehicles like helicopter over Istanbul was banned. (EKN)

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