Kocaeli, Turkey upgrades roads and tram network for summer traffic

Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyesi has accelerated road maintenance in the coastal district of Kandıra ahead of the summer tourism peak. Crews removed overgrown vegetation and tree branches from the Kerpe road and other key routes, improving driver visibility and reducing the risk of accidents.

At the same time, the municipality is expanding the capacity of its tram system. Work on the T1 Otogar‑Kuruçeşme line includes extending platforms at 15 of 16 stations, installing double‑track operation, and adding modern shelters and accessibility features. The upgrades will allow each tram set to carry about 600 passengers, effectively doubling line capacity. A new tram extension connects the T3 line to the Kartepe district, linking two sides of the city and supporting a daily ridership of roughly 53,000 passengers.

These coordinated projects aim to enhance traffic safety, accommodate higher passenger volumes, and provide more reliable public transport for residents and tourists during the busy summer season.