05.07.2026 19:11
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, speaking about ongoing and planned high-speed train projects, stated that they will increase the number of provinces directly connected by high-speed rail from 11 to 27 by 2028. Minister Uraloglu said, 'By 2053, we will connect all corners of our country with high-speed rail lines and tour all of Turkey in 48 hours.'
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made important statements regarding the ongoing and planned high-speed train projects.
$355 BILLION INVESTMENT IN 24 YEARS
Emphasizing that transport projects are not just physical investments but also strategic steps supporting production, exports, employment, regional development, and international cooperation, Uraloğlu reported that they have realized historic investments in the field of transport and infrastructure with $355 billion over the past 24 years.
Uraloğlu pointed out that they have equipped Turkey with divided roads, highways, high-speed train lines, ports, airports, logistics centers, and a strong communication infrastructure, stating that they have treated railways as a state policy, especially with the development initiatives launched since 2002.
Highlighting that investments in railways go beyond improving transportation networks and change the rhythm of the economy and cities, Uraloğlu provided information that the railway network, which was approximately 11,000 kilometers in 2002, has now approached 14,009 kilometers, including 2,251 kilometers of high-speed train lines.
"WE MODERNIZED 11 THOUSAND KILOMETERS OF RAILWAY NETWORK"
Uraloğlu stated that they have not only built new lines but also modernized the 11,000-kilometer railway network, adding that construction work continues on high-speed train lines such as Halkalı-Kapıkule, Ankara-İzmir, Bandırma-Bursa-Yenişehir-Osmaneli, and Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep.
NEW RAILWAY LINE ALTERNATIVE TO MARMARAY IS COMING
Uraloğlu explained that with the ongoing construction of the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway, they are strengthening the railway connection between Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and that with the railway connection to be implemented on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, a new railway line alternative to Marmaray will be achieved across the Bosphorus. He stated that they plan to start construction work this year following the tender process for this project.
"WE WILL TOUR ALL OF TURKEY IN 48 HOURS"
Uraloğlu stated that in addition to the main lines, 286 connecting lines totaling 439 kilometers are in operation, and noted the following: "We plan to reach 608 kilometers of connecting lines by 2028. We aim to increase the number of logistics centers from 13 to 25. We aim to raise our railway lines to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 and to 28,590 kilometers by 2053. We are currently continuing construction work on 4,164 kilometers of lines. By 2028, we will increase the number of provinces directly connected by high-speed train from 11 to 27. By 2053, we will unite all corners of our country with high-speed train lines and tour all of Turkey in 48 hours."