The Başkentray suburban line will extend to Yenikent.

07.04.2025 13:11

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that they have extended the Sincan (OSB)-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway Project and Başkentray to Yenikent. Uraloğlu said, "We will connect Yenikent's population, which exceeds 600,000, to the metropolitan system through public transportation. With the connection line that we will link to the Kazan Soda facilities, we will transport 4.4 million tons of cargo annually."

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Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu inspected the ongoing works on the Sincan (OSB)-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway Project on-site. Uraloğlu, who conducted inspections along the route and received information about the works, made a statement regarding the importance of the project. Uraloğlu stated, "Our project will open the door to a significant transformation in both passenger transportation and freight services in Ankara."

Stating that they have constructed a total route of 16,017 meters, Uraloğlu said, "Our project includes the 12-kilometer Başkentray Suburban Line extending from Sincan to Yenikent and a 4,017-meter connection line from Yenikent to the Kazan Soda facilities."

"WE WILL CARRY 4.4 MILLION TONS OF CARGO PER YEAR THANKS TO THE CONNECTION LINE"

Uraloğlu also mentioned that they have built a new double-track railway between Sincan and Yenikent, stating that they have established three new stations named OSB, Yenikent-1, and Yenikent-2 on this line, and continued: "Thus, we will extend the Başkentray suburban line to Yenikent. When our project is completed, we will integrate the Başkentray Suburban Line with the 1st Organized Industrial Zone and Yenikent through Sincan Station. We will connect the population of Yenikent, which exceeds 600,000, to the metropolitan system with fast, safe, comfortable, and economical public transportation. At the same time, thanks to the connection line we will establish to the Kazan Soda facilities, we will carry 4.4 million tons of cargo annually. We will deliver the soda ash produced at the Kazan Soda Factory to ports economically and quickly, providing a significant economic contribution to our country."

Additionally, Uraloğlu stated that by shifting the soda ash currently transported by trucks to the railway, they will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions, adding that the project will not only increase transportation capacity but also significantly contribute to regional development, saying, "This will be a very valuable step that will accelerate our country's access to international markets."

"WE ARE WORKING 24/7 WITH 268 PERSONNEL AND 127 MACHINES"

Uraloğlu stated that they have made 85% progress in infrastructure works and 44% in superstructure works, saying, "We have completed 99% of the works in the 11 cut-and-cover tunnels, which are 2,239 meters long, constructed within the project. We have reached an 88% completion rate in the construction of our 4 bridges, which are a total of 408 meters long. We have dispatched 3,467 tons of the 3,560 tons of rails we need for the superstructure to the site. Currently, we are working 24/7 with 268 personnel and 127 machines on-site."

90% PHYSICAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE PROJECT OVERALL

Uraloğlu also mentioned that they have currently achieved approximately 90% physical progress in the project, stating, "In light of all these advancements, we aim to complete our infrastructure and superstructure works within the 3rd quarter of this year. We will also call for the signaling tender within this year. We plan to open the entire route to suburban passenger and freight traffic with signaling and electrification at the beginning of 2027, around the end of 2026."

RAILWAYS HAVE BECOME A STATE POLICY

Uraloğlu expressed that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, they have initiated a new era in railways to turn the opportunities provided by Turkey's geographical location, which serves as a bridge between Asia and Europe, into economic and commercial advantages. He emphasized that they have made railways a state policy again, just as in the early years of the Republic.

Uraloğlu stated that they have increased the railway length from approximately 11,000 kilometers in 2002 to 13,919 kilometers by adding about 3,000 kilometers, including 2,251 kilometers of YHT and High-Speed Train lines. He included the following statements in his remarks: "With our Sincan (OSB)-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway Project, which brings us together; we are continuing the construction of very important railway projects such as Halkalı – Kapıkule, Ankara-İzmir, Bandırma-Bursa-Yenişehir-Osmaneli, Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep, and Yerköy-Kayseri High-Speed Train Lines."

"WE AIM TO INCREASE OUR EXISTING RAILWAY NETWORK TO 17,500 KILOMETERS BY 2028"

Uraloğlu stated that they have put the Ankara-Istanbul Super High-Speed Train Line project on their agenda, saying, "This line will be 344 kilometers long, and we plan to reduce the travel time to 80 minutes with our trains that can reach speeds of 350 kilometers per hour. In addition, we have added the North Marmara High-Speed Train Line project, which will start from Gebze, cross over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and reach Istanbul Airport and Halkalı/Çatalca, to our plans. We can say that we have secured approximately the credit for the roughly 120-kilometer line in our discussions with the World Bank, which are progressing quite positively. In the coming months, we will also hold the tender for that. With these efforts, we aim to increase our existing railway network to 17,500 kilometers by 2028."

"WE WILL TURN ANOTHER VERY LARGE AND IMPORTANT PROJECT FROM DREAM INTO REALITY"

Uraloğlu expressed that when they inaugurate the Sincan (OSB)-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway Line, they will experience the pride of successfully completing another prestige project for Turkey, continuing his remarks as follows: "We will turn another very large and important project into reality for our country. Look, we do not care about what others think or what they do; we are doing our job. With this approach, we will continue to serve both our Ankara and our country tirelessly. While doing this, we are taking care of every penny entrusted to us by our nation, making the right investments without stealing or wasting. The Sincan (OSB)-Yenikent-Kazan Soda Railway Project will provide fast and comfortable public transportation opportunities for the citizens in the Yenikent region and will also contribute to the country's economy by increasing the logistics capacity of the Kazan Soda facilities.

Transitioning from road to rail will also be an important step in terms of reducing carbon emissions and environmental sustainability.