M1 (İzmir Metro)

Bornova to Üçyol section (1992–2000)

The construction of the M1 started in September 1992 with its foundation being laid in December 1994.^[7][8] The 1.7 km (1.1 mi) Nenehatun tunnels (named after Nene Hatun) between Üçyol and Konak stations were constructed via the New Austrian tunnelling method (NATM),^[9] while the 2.8 km (1.7 mi) Ümmühan Ana tunnels (named after the mother of Süleyman Demirel) between Konak and Basmane stations were constructed via the earth pressure balance tunnelling method.^[10][11] The rolling stock was delivered in August 1996.^[8] The first 12 km (7.5 mi) section from Bornova to Üçyol stations was completed in April 2000. Consisting of 10 stations, it began service on 22 May 2000.^[8]

Üçyol to Fahrettin Altay section (2005–2014)

In March 2005, a tender was awarded for the Üçyol–Fahrettin Altay section, a 5.2 km (3.2 mi) extension to the west consisting of six new stations.^[12] The foundation of the extension was laid three months later and tunneling works commenced on 5 July 2005, with the extension slated to be completed in two years. However, when the contractor failed to fulfill their obligations, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality sent a cease and desist letter to the company on 14 February 2006, subsequently cancelling the tender in November 2006.^[12] A new tender was announced on 23 January 2007 with an aim complete the extension by 31 October 2008.^[13] The tender was cancelled on 13 August 2009 after the contractor requested a 15-month extension.^[13][14]

The İzmir Metropolitan Municipality issued a third tender in October 2009,^[15] but it was again cancelled by the Public Procurement Authority for unspecified reasons.^[12] The cancellation had occurred after a company's objection to the tender even though it had not been invited to the tender.^[16] Consequently, İzmir Metropolitan decided to complete the remaining construction using their own resources due to the possibility of a tunnel collapse if it were not concreted.^[12][17] The contractor then resumed work in February 2010^[18] after the cancellation was turned down by the administrative court.^[19]

On 18 June 2012, test runs began between İzmirspor and Hatay stations, opening to passengers service on 29 December 2012.^[20] Göztepe station entered service on 25 March 2014,^[21] with the last two stations on the extension, Poligon and Fahrettin Altay stations, opening their doors on 27 July 2014.^[22] The planned Güzelyalı station between these two stations was dropped from the project due to an underground stream.^[23]

Bornova to Bornova Merkez section (2007–present)

Work on the Bornova–Bornova Merkez extension on the M1's eastern axis started in 2007. However, the section between Evka 3 and Bornova Merkez stations was delayed after the contractor company refused to do construction drawings. Constructing the section would have risked building damage as it was discovered during excavations that the soil contained clay and sand.^[24][25] The construction was fully stopped in 2008 after the contractor could not finish the extension and requested an additional year, which was rejected.^[25] A new tender was issued in October 2009 to finish the remaining work. However, that tender was cancelled by the Public Procurement Authority.^[26]

A third tender was made in April 2010, but it was cancelled by the municipality after the court reverted the cancellation of the second tender. The municipality signed an agreement with the winner of the second tender but the agreement was reverted after the high court reversed the decision of lower court about the second tender. A fourth tender was issued in August 2010 and construction started in September.^[24] Test drives started on 20 March 2012 for the 2.6 km (1.6 mi) section to Evka 3. Evka 3 and Ege University stations began service on 30 March 2012.^[3]

Fahrettin Altay to Narlıdere Kaymakamlık section (2018–2024)

Works on the 7.2 km (4.5 mi) Fahrettin Altay–Narlıdere Kaymakamlık extension to the west began on 9 June 2018 at a cost of €287 million.^[27][28] There are seven stations built for the extension: Balçova, Çağdaş, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Hastanesi, Güzel Sanatlar, Narlıdere İtfaiye, 100. Yıl Cumhuriyet Şehitlik, and Narlıdere Kaymakamlık.^[29] Two other stations that were originally planned to be built in the west direction, were removed from the project, as it was predicted that the number of passengers would be insufficient.^[30] The first six stations on the extension were completed on 24 February 2024, with the last station, Kaymakamlık, opening its doors on 4 March 2024.^[31][32]

Further extensions and plans

The line is planned to be extended to Bornova district in the east and Güzelbahçe in the west, with further extensions still under planning.^[33][34]

The M1 line will be further extended from Kaymakamlık to Güzelbahçe. This 13.6 km (8.5 mi) extension is planned to have another 11 stations.^[34][35]