Providing important information about high-speed train networks, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said, 'By 2053, we will connect all corners of our country with high-speed train lines and traverse all of Turkey in 48 hours.' 'We aim to increase our railway lines to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 and to 28,590 kilometers by 2053.'
Uraloğlu, who stated that construction work is ongoing on 4,164 kilometers of line, added that the number of provinces directly connected by high-speed train will increase from 11 to 27 by 2028.
WE MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS
Minister Uraloğlu said that without transportation, there can be no trade; without trade, production cannot strengthen; and without strengthened production, development cannot become sustainable.
Emphasizing that transportation projects are not just physical investments but also strategic steps that support production, exports, employment, regional development, and international cooperation, Uraloğlu reported that they have made historic investments in transportation and infrastructure totaling 355 billion dollars over the last 24 years.
Pointing out that they have equipped Turkey with divided roads, highways, high-speed train lines, ports, airports, logistics centers, and a strong communication infrastructure, Uraloğlu stated that they have treated railways as a state policy, especially with the development moves initiated since 2002.
Drawing attention to the fact that investments in railways have changed the rhythm of the economy and cities beyond improving transportation networks, Uraloğlu informed that the railway network, which was approximately 11,000 kilometers in 2002, has now approached 14,009 kilometers, of which 2,251 kilometers are 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, and that construction work continues on high-speed train lines such as Halkalı-Kapıkule, Ankara-İzmir, Bandırma-Bursa-Yenişehir-Osmaneli, and Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep.
Uraloğlu explained that with the ongoing Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway, they have strengthened 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 alternative railway line to Marmaray across the Istanbul Strait will be achieved. He added that they plan to start construction this year after the tender process for this project.
Uraloğlu mentioned that in addition to the main lines, 286 connection lines totaling 439 kilometers are operated, and noted: 'We plan to reach 608 kilometers of connection lines by 2028. We plan to increase the number of logistics centers from 13 to 25. We aim to increase 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 line. By 2028, we will increase the number of provinces directly connected by high-speed train from 11 to 27. And by 2053, we will connect all corners of our country with high-speed train lines and traverse all of Turkey in 48 hours.
