Minister Uraloğlu: Trabzon-Ankara Travel Time to Shrink with High-Speed Rail
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced a significant reduction in travel time between Trabzon and Ankara, thanks to the integration of high-speed rail projects. Speaking at the TOKİ Housing Lottery Ceremony in Trabzon, Uraloğlu stated that the journey between the two cities would be shortened to a mere 4.5 hours.
The minister highlighted the ‘Samsun-Trabzon-Sarp high-speed railway project,’ which aims to connect all cities from Samsun, including Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin. This line will be integrated with the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Çorum-Samsun High-Speed Train Line, the construction of which began with the 120-kilometer Kırıkkale (Delice)-Çorum section in recent months.
Major Housing and Infrastructure Investments in Trabzon
Minister Uraloğlu began his speech by congratulating Tahir Şahin, the newly appointed Governor of Trabzon, and extended his gratitude to the outgoing Governor, Aziz Yıldırım. He also emphasized the importance of a ‘Turkey without terror,’ strongly condemning recent attacks on the Turkish flag and reiterating that ‘terrorists are terrorists, Kurds are our brothers.’
Uraloğlu detailed the ‘Homeowner Turkey’ vision, a social housing mobilization launched under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change has constructed 1.75 million social housing units to date. The current project aims to provide 500,000 social housing units, benefiting at least 2 million citizens with safe, modern, and disaster-resilient homes. Low-income citizens will be able to purchase homes with affordable payment plans, ensuring a balance in rent and housing costs.
Among the 5,242,000 valid applications nationwide, priority has been given to the families of martyrs, veterans, people with disabilities, retirees, youth, and large families. In Trabzon, 3,734 housing units will be allocated to successful applicants from a total of 46,237 individuals. TOKİ has invested approximately 66.2 billion Turkish Liras in Trabzon, constructing 12,078 housing units, 887 workplaces, a stadium, 8 mosques, 6 national gardens, 5 government buildings, and various educational, health, and social facilities. The new 3,734 units in Trabzon will be distributed across central districts and other areas, with 30% being 1+1, 30% being 65 square meters 2+1, and 40% being 80 square meters 2+1.
Transforming Trabzon’s Transportation Infrastructure
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has invested 260 billion Turkish Liras in Trabzon’s transportation and communication infrastructure over the past 24 years. This has significantly developed the city’s transport network. The length of divided roads increased from 56 kilometers in 2002 to 266 kilometers, and the hot asphalt paved road network expanded from 89 kilometers to 559 kilometers.
Key projects completed include the Black Sea Coastal Road, Uzungöl Tourism Center Road, and the Tanjant Road. The Zigana Tunnel, Europe’s longest twin-tube highway tunnel, was also constructed. Recently, the Boztepe Tunnels were opened with the presence of President Erdoğan. Currently, 23 highway projects are underway, including the Kanuni Boulevard Road, Trabzon-Maçka Road, and Trabzon Southern Ring Road.
The Kanuni Boulevard, nearing completion, will provide a high-standard, uninterrupted, comfortable, and safe transportation network between the densely populated Çukurçayır neighborhood and the eastern and western parts of the city. The Trabzon Southern Ring Road, extending from Akçakale to Arsin, is being implemented in two sections. The first 16-kilometer section, consisting of 14 kilometers of tunnels and viaducts, is progressing rapidly. This project will separate urban traffic and heavy transit traffic heading to the Sarp Border Gate on the Black Sea Coastal Road between Akçaabat and Arsin.
High-Speed Rail and New Airport for Trabzon
Uraloğlu further elaborated on the high-speed rail project, confirming that it would connect all cities from Samsun to Artvin. This line, integrated with the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Çorum-Samsun High-Speed Train Line, will enable travel between Trabzon and Ankara in 4.5 hours.
Additionally, Trabzon will benefit from an urban rail system approximately 32 kilometers long, featuring 31 stations, including the City Hospital, Akyazı Stadium, Meydan, Bus Terminal, University, and Airport. The section between Akyazı and the Airport has been approved for investment, with construction tenders planned for the first quarter of this year.
Recognizing that the existing Trabzon Airport is no longer sufficient for the continuously developing and growing city, Minister Uraloğlu announced plans for a new airport. This new airport, located on a 3 million square meter reclamation area north of the current runway, will feature a 10 million passenger capacity terminal building and a 3,000-meter runway capable of accommodating large-bodied aircraft. The project has been incorporated into the investment program, the tender has been completed, and the site has been delivered. Construction is expected to commence soon.
Uraloğlu emphasized that the new airport will open new horizons for tourism, trade, and cultural interaction, stimulating the local economy and positioning Trabzon as a global aviation hub. He expressed his best wishes for the success of this project.
