Turkey announces major transport and high-speed rail expansion

Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is advancing several major transportation projects. Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that mass production of the national electric train, capable of speeds up to 225 km/h, is scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

Significant railway developments include the Ankara-Izmir High-Speed Train (YHT) project, which aims to reduce travel time to 3.5 hours by 2028, and the Kars-Erzurum railway, which has received environmental approval. The ministry targets increasing the number of provinces with direct high-speed rail access from 11 to 27 by 2028, while expanding the total railway network to 17,287 kilometers.

In urban and regional infrastructure, the Çeşmeli-Erdemli-Silifke-Taşucu highway project is nearing completion with 98% physical progress, expected to significantly reduce transit times between Konya and the Mediterranean. Additionally, the Sarıyer-Kilyos tunnel in Istanbul is slated for opening by the end of the year, and the Halkalı-Kapıkule high-speed line is progressing, with the Çerkezköy-Kapıkule section expected to open next month.