Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, emphasized the significant investments made in highways over the past 22 years by stating, “With new projects such as the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice and Antalya-Alanya highways, we continue to enhance the strength of our road transportation network and bring citizens together with fast, safe, and comfortable travel.” The Signing Ceremony of the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice and Antalya-Alanya Highway Projects was held at the Ministry building. Uraloğlu stated at the event that these projects are set to shape the future of Turkey. Highlighting Turkey’s important infrastructure projects initiated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan under the slogan “Road is civilization,” Uraloğlu mentioned that they are continuing to implement those projects which propel the country forward, considering Turkey as a nation that does not settle for standing still, being a logistics hub offering multi-modal transportation infrastructure from airways to seaways, and railways to roadways.

Emphasizing the vital role of road transportation in both international and domestic transportation activities of developed countries, Uraloğlu pointed out that the logistic system plays a crucial function as the cardiovascular system. Recounting the substantial investment in highways over the last 22 years, Minister Uraloğlu noted, “We have equipped our country with high-standard road networks connecting from east to west, and from north to south. We have extended the length of divided roads from 6,101 kilometers in 2002 to 29,520 kilometers. While the number of cities connected by divided roads was 6, it has now reached 77. Consequently, 22 years ago, when the total vehicle count was around 8.5 million, our average travel speed was 40 kilometers per hour.

Today, the number of vehicles in traffic has reached 30.5 million. Despite this, our average travel speed is approximately 90 kilometers per hour. With new projects such as the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice and Antalya-Alanya highways where contracts will be signed, we continue to reinforce the strength of our road transportation network and bring citizens together with fast, safe, and comfortable travel.” Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice Highway Uraloğlu announced that the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice Highway is planned to be 120 kilometers long, with 101 kilometers of it being the main body and 19 kilometers as the connecting road. He shared that the project includes the construction of 7 junctions, 4 tunnels, 8 viaducts, and 3 highway service facilities. Uraloğlu highlighted, “The project route starts at the Karapürçek junction on the present Ankara Outer Ring Road between Karapürçek and Samsun Road junctions in the district of Kızılcaköy. It proceeds through the vicinity of Gökçeyurt, Lalahan, Hasanoğlan, Elmadağ, and Yahşihan settlements and crosses the Kızılırmak River.

Advancing south of Kırıkkale, it connects to the Kırıkkale-Yozgat State Road north of the Çerikli district. Our Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice Highway serves as a bridge among the land corridors that provide access from Marmara to Eastern Anatolia, the Aegean to the Mediterranean, the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.” Uraloğlu stressed that this project will contribute to the safe, fast, and comfortable transportation of cargo and passengers to the eastern and northern corridors of Ankara, and from there, to the Middle East and Caucasian countries. Indicating that the project will also relieve the current traffic density on the roads in Ankara-Kırıkkale, Uraloğlu noted, “With the elimination of traffic congestion, we will save 3.3 billion lira annually, consisting of 2.8 billion lira in time and 500 million lira in fuel. Additionally, by reducing carbon emissions by 41,000 tons, we will contribute to preserving nature. Our highway project is the first phase of the highways that are planned to extend from Ankara to Samsun in the north and to the Iranian border in the east in the upcoming years, making it highly significant.”

Antalya-Alanya Highway to be 122 Kilometers Long Uraloğlu mentioned that the Antalya-Alanya Highway is projected to be 122 kilometers long, with 84 kilometers as the main body and 38 kilometers as the connecting road. He explained that the project includes the construction of 7 junctions, 8 tunnels, 19 viaducts, and 4 highway service facilities. Uraloğlu shared, “Starting from the Serik junction, the project route will head eastward, following the corridor in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains within the borders of the Serik and Manavgat districts, and will conclude at the western junction north of Konaklı. Our highway will meet the increasing travel demands due to tourism in the summer months promptly, comfortably, and safely, serving the trade and agricultural sectors in the region.

The project will be a turning point for regional tourism. The traffic congestion that almost spans the entire year will significantly decrease thanks to the highway, providing tourists and citizens with a comfortable and stress-free travel opportunity.” Uraloğlu emphasized that this project will enable tourists to spend more time in the region and explore different destinations by offering the chance to reach numerous points in a shorter period. Underscoring that the project will enhance tourism diversity and contribute to the regional economy, Uraloğlu stated, “By increasing investments in the region and opening new tourism facilities, we will lead the way to create new employment opportunities. Moreover, upon completing our highway, we will achieve annual savings of 6.6 billion lira, including 6 billion lira in time and 600 million lira in fuel. By reducing carbon emissions by 47,000 tons, we will contribute to preserving nature.” Uraloğlu mentioned that they will construct both highways through a public-private partnership model, emphasizing that this model not only encompasses the construction aspect but also functions as a financing model. He explained that by utilizing the opportunities and financing of the private sector, these projects, which require substantial financial resources, can be realized much quicker without utilizing public resources, ultimately working toward establishing the necessary transportation infrastructure for Turkey to achieve its Turkey Century goals for the country’s economy.

He concluded by stating that tomorrow, the International Road Federation’s World Congress will be held in Istanbul for three days, where they will bring together leading figures from the road and mobility sector, academics, and public-private sector stakeholders worldwide to discuss significant topics in the road and mobility industry. Following the speeches, the signatures were signed by General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen for the parties, Muzaffer Nasıroğlu, Chairman of Fernas Companies Group for the Ankara-Kırıkkale-Delice Highway Project, and Ebru Özdemir, Chairman of Limak Companies Group for the Antalya-Alanya Highway Project.