Due to the UEFA Europa League final match between Freiburg and Aston Villa scheduled for May 20th in Istanbul, some roads in three districts will be closed to traffic. According to an announcement from the Istanbul Security Directorate, the Traffic Control Branch has determined which roads will be closed and which alternative routes will be used.
In Beşiktaş, the following roads will be closed from 11:00 until the end of the event: Yıldız Posta Street, Barbaros Boulevard, Çırağan Street, Dolmabahçe Street, Sait Çiftçi Ayrımları, Nüzhetiye Street, and Süleyman Seba Street. Alternative routes include Yıldız Street, Yenidoğan Street, Hoş Sohbet Street, Vefa Bayırı Street, Orta Bahçe Street, Ihlamur Dere Street, Ayazma Deresi Street, Türkgücü Street, Emirhan Street, Ihlamur Yıldız Street, Muallim Naci Street, and Dereboyu Street.
In Beyoğlu, the following roads will be closed: Meclis-i Mebusan Street, Kemeraltı Street, Galata Bridge, Tersane Street, Dolmabahçe Gazhane Street, İnönü Street, Prof. Dr. Bedri Karafakioğlu Street, Mete Street, Sıraselviler Street, and Asker Ocağı Street. Alternative routes include Refik Saydam Street, Tarlabaşı Boulevard, Yedikuyular Street, Piyalepaşa Boulevard, Bahriye Street, Irmak Street, Kurtuluş Deresi Street, Dolapdere Street, Kadiriler Yokuşu Street, Boğazkesen Street, and Yeni Çarşı Street.
In Şişli, the following roads will be closed: Dolmabahçe Bomonti Tunnel, Taşkışla Street, Kadırgalar Street, Maçka Street, Bayıldım Street, and Mim Kemal Öke Street. Alternative routes include Villa Street, Cumhuriyet Street, Halaskargazi Street, Vali Konağı Street, 19 Mayıs Street, Hakkı Yeten Street, Teşvikiye Street, Rumeli Street, Büyükdere Street, Hasret Street, Akar Street, and Nişantaşı Ihlamur Yolu Street.
Additionally, it was announced that in certain circumstances, the specified streets and alleys in the three districts may be partially or completely closed earlier than scheduled to ensure pedestrian and vehicle traffic safety.
This road closure is a massive inconvenience for Istanbul locals! How can UEFA not consider the impact on the city's infrastructure? It's like they're only thinking about the fans and not the residents. What's the point of hosting these events if they cause so much disruption?