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Turkey expands privatization of major bridges and highways
A Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette on September 5, 2026, has expanded the privatization program for several major transportation assets managed by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM). The decision includes the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, and various strategic highways such as the Niğde-Pozantı, Gaziantep Ring, and Bursa Ring highways.
The privatization model focuses on the transfer of operating rights for a duration of 30 years rather than the transfer of ownership, which will remain with the state. The process, which may involve leasing or revenue-sharing models, is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2031. The scope also encompasses associated service facilities, toll collection centers, and maintenance units.
The Privatization Administration clarified that the move aims to improve service quality and accelerate maintenance and investment rather than primarily generating immediate revenue. Officials addressed public debate regarding reported annual revenues, stating that the $600 million figure cited in discussions represents total revenue, not profit, and that approximately $300 million of that amount is allocated for maintenance and repair expenses.
Entities
15 Temmuz Şehitler Bridge · 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü · Deniz Yavuzyılmaz · Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge · General Directorate of Highways · Hazine ve Maliye Bakanlığı · Istanbul · Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Turkey · Türkiye Komünist Partisi · Özelleştirme İdaresi Başkanlığı
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 29 SOURCES] The privatization contracts for the included highways and bridges are set for a duration of 30 years. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +15 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] The privatization will not involve the transfer of ownership. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +12 more
- [● 25 SOURCES] The 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge are included in the privatization scope. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +11 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Presidential Decree No. 11750 was published in the Official Gazette on September 5, 2026. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +16 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] Privatization processes must be completed by December 31, 2031. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +8 more
- [DISPUTED] MP Deniz Yavuzyılmaz claims the 2 bridges and 8 highways generated $600 million in profit in 2025. artigercek.com · www.izgazete.net · www.habermeydan.com
- [● 27 SOURCES] The Niğde-Pozantı Highway, Gaziantep Ring Highway, and a section of the Bursa Ring Highway (between Çağlayan and Yenişehir junctions) are added to the privatization program. www.gazeteekspres.com · haber.doviz.com · boldmedya.com · artigercek.com · www.adalet.tv · +14 more
- [DISPUTED] The 600 million dollars is revenue, not profit. www.izgazete.net · www.marasgundem.com.tr · tr.shafaqna.com · www.borsagundem.com.tr · www.kentgazetesi.com · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Approximately 300 million dollars of the 600 million dollar revenue is allocated for maintenance and repair expenses. www.borsagundem.com.tr · www.aydinpost.com · www.marasgundem.com.tr · tr.shafaqna.com · www.kentgazetesi.com · +1 more