07.09.2026 11:02
Survey and drilling work has begun for the approximately 13-kilometer single-tube tunnel planned on the Van-Bahçesaray highway, where harsh winter conditions prevail and transportation faces major difficulties due to frequent avalanches. AK Party Van Deputy Kayhan Türkmenoğlu stated that with the tunnel entering service, travel between Van and Bahçesaray will be shortened in both distance and time.
The highway connecting Van and the Bahçesaray district, located at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters, is closed to traffic during the winter months due to heavy snowfall and avalanche risk. While the road is reopened to traffic every year in the first week of June, locals of Bahçesaray use an alternative route through the Hizan district of Bitlis to reach the district during the winter period. In the region where meters of snow fall during the winter months, work has been initiated for a tunnel project to ensure safer and uninterrupted transportation.
DRILLING UNDERWAY FOR 13-KILOMETER TUNNEL
Project survey and drilling studies have begun for the approximately 13-kilometer single-tube tunnel planned between the Gevaş and Bahçesaray districts. In the studies carried out by teams from the General Directorate of Highways and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the geological and geographical features of the route are being examined. Following the completion of the survey studies, project preparations are expected to be made and the tender process initiated. After the tender process, tunnel construction work will begin.
TÜRKMENOĞLU: DISTANCE AND TIME IN TRANSPORTATION WILL SHORTEN
AK Party Van Deputy Kayhan Türkmenoğlu stated that Bahçesaray is one of Turkey's most difficult districts to access due to its geographical conditions. Describing Bahçesaray as a 'hidden garden,' Türkmenoğlu said, "Bahçesaray is one of our districts with the most difficult access in Turkey. That is why we call it a 'hidden garden.' It is also an important district for Turkey. Due to the geographical conditions here, transportation is sometimes disrupted. During our governments, we built Turkey's first snow tunnel here. The Karabet Tunnel you see here is Turkey's first snow tunnel."
"SINGLE TUBE WILL BE BUILT IN THE FIRST PHASE"
Stating that work was initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in line with the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkmenoğlu spoke as follows:
"In the first phase, survey studies are being carried out. For this purpose, drilling work is being conducted for ground investigation. Teams from the General Directorate of Highways and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure are conducting the survey studies. Since the geographical conditions are very difficult, survey work is being carried out to determine whether the ground is sand or rock in the mountains and hills. After these studies are completed, the project phase will be initiated. With the completion of the project and tender process, tunnel construction will begin. With this tunnel becoming operational, both the distance and time difference on the highway will decrease, and uninterrupted transportation will be ensured. We will hopefully provide a significant convenience for transportation to and from Van. We are also following up on this."
"THE TUNNEL'S EXIT WILL BE CLOSE TO BAHÇESARAY"
Stating that the tunnel's entrance is planned within the borders of a neighborhood affiliated with the Gevaş district, and its exit is planned at a point close to the entrance of the Bahçesaray district, Türkmenoğlu said a single-tube tunnel will be built in the first phase. Türkmenoğlu reminded that when the road closes during the winter months, access to Bahçesaray is provided via Hizan, adding, "We are at a point where Bahçesaray, one of Turkey's most remote and challenging districts, will come to life. When there is a transportation problem in Bahçesaray in winter, the Hizan road is used. For this, we, as the people of Van, are truly grateful to our President. Van is a city ranked 9th in Turkey in terms of public investments. This is a concrete indicator of how much our government and our President value this region, especially Van."