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Turkey privatizes operating rights for Bosphorus bridges and highways
A Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette has initiated the privatization of several major transportation assets in Turkey. The plan includes the 30-year transfer of operating rights for two Bosphorus bridges—the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge—along with eight highways and two ring roads. While the decree specifies that the ownership of these assets will remain with the state, the management and usage rights will be transferred to the private sector through various methods such as leasing or revenue sharing.
The decision has drawn significant criticism from political figures and labor unions. Deniz Yavuzyılmaz of the YENİ Party argued that the privatization is unnecessary, citing data that the Bosphorus bridges maintained profit margins of 96 to 97 percent in 2025, earning a combined profit of approximately 184 million dollars. Critics warn that the shift to private management could lead to a 4 to 5-fold increase in highway passage fees, potentially raising costs for citizens to levels seen in existing private-sector models.
Opposition members have also raised concerns regarding the transparency of the process and the potential impact on national assets. While the Ministry of Treasury and Finance reported 600 million dollars in revenue for these assets in 2025, critics claim the actual total revenue, including taxes, is higher, suggesting the state is transferring highly profitable infrastructure to the private sector.
Entities
15 July Martyrs Bridge · Bosphorus Bridge · Deniz Yavuzyılmaz · Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge · General Directorate of Highways · Ministry of Treasury and Finance · Privatization Administration · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Republic of Türkiye · Turkey
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The ownership of the bridges and highways will remain with the state. tasinmazhaber.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Passage fees for state-operated highways could increase 4 to 5 times. www.pusulahaber.com.tr · www.sozcu.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge had a profit margin of 96 percent in 2025. www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The privatization process will involve a 30-year operating rights transfer. tasinmazhaber.com · www.webtekno.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 15 July Martyrs Bridge had a profit margin of 97 percent in 2025. www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The privatization includes two bridges, eight highways, and two ring roads. www.webtekno.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 15 July Martyrs Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge earned a combined profit of approximately 184 million dollars in 2025. www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Treasury and Finance reported 600 million dollars in 2025 revenue for the assets. epochtimestr.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The privatization process involves a 30-year operating rights transfer. www.webtekno.com · tasinmazhaber.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The privatization package includes two bridges, eight highways, and two ring roads. www.webtekno.com