# Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi Highway opens amid toll cost debate

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/emeli-kzkalesi-highway-project-development
> Updated: 2026-10-19T07:34:13.000Z. Sources: 60. Developments: 3.

The 52-kilometer Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi section of the Çeşmeli-Erdemli-Silifke-Taşucu Highway officially opened to traffic on October 19, 2026. Managed by Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the project includes 41 kilometers of main roadway and 11 kilometers of connecting roads, featuring 10 interchanges, 7 tunnels, 5 viaducts, and 6 toll collection areas.

The highway is designed to reduce travel times between Mersin city center and Kızkalesi from several hours to approximately 18 minutes. Economic projections estimate annual savings of 3.02 billion lira—consisting of 2.68 billion lira in time savings and 340 million lira in fuel savings—alongside an annual reduction in carbon emissions of 17,000 tons. The route is intended to support regional tourism, agriculture, and logistics for the Mersin Port and Çukurova International Airport.

Following the opening, the project has faced political scrutiny regarding its pricing structure. DEVA Party Mersin Deputy Mehmet Emin Ekmen submitted a parliamentary inquiry questioning the toll costs, noting that the 220 TL fee for the 41-kilometer stretch “significantly exceeds the costs of neighboring routes like the Adana-Mersin highway.”

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi Highway opens in Mersin to reduce travel times

The 52km Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi highway in Mersin has opened, reducing travel times to 18 minutes. While promising major economic and logistical benefits, the new toll rates have faced political criticism.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-opens-emeli-kzkalesi-highway-to-reduce-travel-time

### 2026-10-17: Turkey advances high-speed rail and highway infrastructure projects

Turkey is expanding its transport network with the Yerköy-Kayseri high-speed train project exceeding 50% completion and the opening of the Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi highway in Mersin.

37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-highway-project-completes-emeli-kzkalesi-section

### 2026-09-25: Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi Highway project reaches 98% completion

Turkey's Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi highway project is 98% complete, set to reduce travel times from 2.5 hours to 18 minutes and save 3 billion lira annually.

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kahramanmara-metropolitan-municipality-renovates-eyh-amil-roads

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Cite as: Çeşmeli-Kızkalesi Highway opens amid toll cost debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/emeli-kzkalesi-highway-project-development