Istanbul’s Transportation Revolution: Airports to be Linked by Rail
Istanbul, February 25 – A monumental leap in Istanbul’s transportation infrastructure is on the horizon as Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced a preliminary agreement for $6.75 billion in financing from six international financial institutions for the Северная кольцевая железная дорога Project. This ambitious endeavor will connect Gebze, Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Istanbul Airport, and Halkalı, marking it as Turkey’s largest externally financed railway project.
Major International Backing for a Strategic Project
Minister Uraloğlu highlighted the significant international interest in the project, stating that preliminary agreements have been reached with the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This broad support underscores the global confidence in Turkey’s railway vision.
“We have reached a preliminary agreement with six international financial institutions. These institutions will provide a total of $6.75 billion in financing for our project, making the Северная кольцевая железная дорога Project, encompassing the Gebze-Sabiha Gökçen Airport-Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge-Istanbul Airport-Halkalı route, Turkey’s largest externally financed railway project,” Uraloğlu stated.
Preparations for the construction tender are currently underway, with the Minister aiming to complete the tender process and commence work this year.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge: The Backbone of the Route
The project’s route will begin from the Çayırova section of the Marmaray line, extending through Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and Istanbul Airport, eventually connecting to Çatalca. At Çatalca, the line will integrate with the Halkalı-Çerkezköy High-Speed Train Line, which is currently under rapid construction. This new line is expected to alleviate freight and passenger traffic on the Marmaray and will directly connect Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport by rail for the first time.
Uraloğlu detailed the construction, stating, “The line will be a total of 125 kilometers long. The project includes the construction of 44 tunnels with a total length of 59.1 kilometers and 42 bridges spanning 22.4 kilometers.”
A New Era for Logistics and Passenger Transport
The railway line crossing the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is projected to significantly boost Turkey’s railway transportation capacity between Asia and Europe, ushering in a new era for logistics. “We anticipate that the line’s completion will facilitate the transport of 33 million passengers and 30 million tons of cargo annually,” Uraloğlu announced.
This strategic railway connection is poised to revolutionize both passenger and freight transport in Istanbul, enhancing connectivity and contributing significantly to the region’s economic development.
