31.10.2026 20:11
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the high-speed train line extending to Sivas will be expanded to include Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars. Stating that significant progress has been made in the project works, Uraloğlu said that in the first stage the existing railway line will be made electric and signaled, and then a double-track high-speed train line will be constructed. Uraloğlu emphasized that the project will be part of the transportation network extending from Central Asia to London via Turkey.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Dallıkavak Tunnel and Dadaşkent-Yıldızkent New Generation Interchange built on the Erzurum-Rize road, reported that the high-speed train line reaching Sivas is planned to be extended to Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars.
“WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LINE STARTING FROM CENTRAL ASIA, FROM TURKISTAN AND GOING THROUGH TURKEY ALL THE WAY TO LONDON”
Uraloğlu said: "What about the high-speed train? Construction work on 4,850 kilometers of railway is currently ongoing; this is valuable. Considering that we currently have 14,300 kilometers of railway, this is a very large figure. We will convert the railway we have brought to Sivas into a high-speed railway on the Erzincan-Erzurum-Kars line as well. This is not just Erzurum's project. We are talking about a line starting from Central Asia, from Turkistan, and going through Turkey all the way to London. Therefore, even if you do not want it, we will do this, but your wanting it is of course valuable. That is why we have brought the project work to a certain stage."
IN THE FIRST STAGE, THE EXISTING LINE WILL BE MODERNIZED
Giving information about the schedule to be followed in the railway project, Uraloğlu noted that first the existing line will be converted to an electric and signaled system.
Uraloğlu said, "In the first stage, we will make the existing line electric and signaled. After that, God willing, with a double-track high-speed railway, one going and one coming, we will have introduced our region, our Erzurum, our Erzincan and our Kars to it."
URBAN RAIL SYSTEM PROJECT FOR ERZURUM
Also touching upon urban transportation investments in Erzurum, Uraloğlu announced that talks with Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality are continuing for the urban rail system project.
Stating that they have made joint assessments with the municipality on realizing the project, Uraloğlu said, "At the right time and under the right conditions, God willing, we will together present it to the service of our Erzurum brothers and sisters."