Vision Zero Cities: How Istanbul Builds Subways Cheap - And What U.S. Cities Can Learn - Streetsblog New York City

"At the time, the city had 13 projects under construction, totaling 135 miles, at an average cost of just $224 million per mile (adjusted for purchasing power parity and inflation). The Transit Costs Project, a global comparative study of urban rail construction costs, found that U.S. projects are often five to ten times more expensive than those in countries like Italy, Sweden, and Türkiye due to factors such as station design, lack of standardization, inefficient management of labor, procurement practices, and soft costs."

"In particular, American cities could learn from Istanbul, one of the project's case studies that illustrates how a city effectively addressed similar challenges to expand its subway network efficiently and affordably, despite deep political divisions and ongoing economic turmoil. Building urban rail fast and cheaply allows more miles of subway to be built, improving transit access, expanding opportunity, reducing car use, easing congestion, lowering pollution, supporting healthier communities, and advancing a more sustainable future aligned with Vision Zero goals adopted by over 60 U.S. communities."

Istanbul expanded its subway network by more than 200 miles over three decades, with an additional 50 miles under construction as of June 2025. The city completed numerous projects at an average cost of $224 million per mile (PPP-adjusted), far lower than typical U.S. costs. High U.S. costs are linked to station design choices, lack of standardization, inefficient labor management, procurement practices, and soft costs. Istanbul used standardized designs, effective procurement, and streamlined management to expand quickly and affordably despite political and financial turmoil. Faster, cheaper rail construction increases access, reduces car use, eases congestion, lowers pollution, and supports Vision Zero objectives.

Read at Streetsblog