Turkey highway maintenance and privatization debates

The General Directorate of Highways has announced several road maintenance and repair projects across Turkey that are affecting traffic flow. Key disruptions include the closure of the Istanbul-bound direction on the Anadolu Highway due to superstructure repairs between the Dörtdivan and Yeniçağa junctions. Additionally, nighttime closures are scheduled for the Izmir Ring Road connection arm near the University Junction for noise barrier construction. Other ongoing works include road widening in Ulukışla-Pozantı, surface coating in Söğüt-Korkuteli, and superstructure renewals on the Elazığ-Malatya road.

Separately, Yeni Party Zonguldak Deputy Deniz Yavuzyılmaz has criticized proposed bridge and highway privatization plans. Yavuzyılmaz claims that if these privatizations proceed, private companies could control 90 percent of Turkey’s highway network, reducing state-operated roads to just 359 kilometers. He warned that such a shift would lead to monopolies, increased toll fees for citizens, and the potential collapse of the General Directorate of Highways.