Turkish cities adopt new traffic restrictions at UKOME meetings

At the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality’s Ulaşım Koordinasyon Merkezi (UKOME) meeting, officials approved 28 agenda items, including the closure of the Ata Bridge to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 1 July 2026. The shutdown is part of a flood‑control project and will affect a 240‑metre stretch covering the bridge and its approach to Cumhuriyet Square. Additional measures approved for Hatay include geometric redesigns at several intersections, conversion of streets in Madenli neighbourhood to pedestrian‑ and bicycle‑only use, and the removal of turn lanes at selected junctions in Arsuz.

In Kocaeli, the UKOME session reviewed 54 agenda items. Decisions focused on improving safety and sustainability: tow‑truck and recovery services will now operate only within their own districts, new traffic‑calming arrangements will be introduced around schools, heavy‑vehicle routes will be restricted, and new inter‑city bus lines will be established to maintain continuous public‑transport service. The council also adopted guidelines for inter‑provincial “S” licence vehicles and adjustments to existing bus routes.