26.07.2025 15:47
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced that the opening of the Doğancı Tunnel has shortened the passage to the Doğancı Dam by 1,600 meters, reducing travel time from 15 minutes to 3 minutes. Uraloğlu stated that the project will provide an annual savings of 353 million lira, reduce carbon emissions by 1,725 tons, and make significant contributions to the region's trade and tourism.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that thanks to the Doğancı Tunnel, they have shortened the passage of the Doğancı Dam by 1600 meters, reducing the travel time in this section from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes, and said, "This will save us a total of 353 million lira annually, with 324 million lira in time savings and 29 million lira in fuel savings."
Uraloğlu, at the opening ceremony of the Doğancı Tunnel and its connecting roads, mentioned that the Orhaneli and Keles districts are vibrant areas known for their rural wealth, nature tourism, and camping routes.
USED BY 9 THOUSAND VEHICLES EVERY DAY
Uraloğlu emphasized the importance of the 89-kilometer route connecting Bursa to the Balıkesir-Kütahya State Road via Orhaneli, stating that it is crucial for connecting the inner parts of the city. "The frequently preferred road is used by an average of 9 thousand vehicles every day. This road is vital for the logistics of the water resources and marble quarries of Orhaneli and Keles, as well as for connecting the region with its inner parts," he said.
Minister Uraloğlu pointed out that especially in winter, the steep and winding structure of the Doğancı Dam road poses serious challenges for drivers, and continued:
"In this context, we implemented the Doğancı Tunnel Project. We completed this variant project, which is a total of 3.2 kilometers long, with 2.7 kilometers of it being asphalt hot mix paving in a single lane standard, and we constructed a single-tube Doğancı Tunnel that is 2,344 meters long, along with a 220-meter-long viaduct and an at-grade intersection. The Doğancı Tunnel is not only an engineering marvel but also a gateway to the future of Orhaneli and Keles."
Uraloğlu explained that this is one of the most challenging tunnels in Turkey, stating:
"If you are drilling and blasting the rocks of a tunnel, that is the easiest part. This is one of the tunnels we excavated centimeter by centimeter, meticulously crafted for structural and occupational safety. It is among the top 5 most difficult tunnels in Turkey. An engineering and craftsmanship masterpiece has been created here. We eliminated the steep and winding roads that were traversed under challenging conditions, enhancing traffic safety on the route and establishing comfortable and safe journeys. The project will further stimulate trade and tourism in the region, paving the way for the development of the area and improving the quality of life for our people."
353 MILLION LIRA SAVINGS WILL BE ACHIEVED
Uraloğlu stated, "Thanks to the tunnel, we have shortened the existing passage of the Doğancı Dam by 1600 meters, reducing the travel time in this section from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes. This will save us a total of 353 million lira annually, with 324 million lira in time savings and 29 million lira in fuel savings. This means that the money we spent here will be amortized within a few years."
Uraloğlu drew attention to their goal of reducing carbon emissions by 1725 tons annually to protect nature, emphasizing that 10,000 trees and landscape plants have been planted at the entrance and exit portals of the tunnel, and an environmentally friendly approach has been demonstrated by establishing a drip irrigation system using recycled water drained from the tunnel.