Restored historical bridges reach 528, says Minister Uraloğlu

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu spoke at the opening of the restored historical Sangarios Bridge in Sakarya. The minister announced that the number of restored historical bridges across the country has reached 528, with restoration work continuing on 40 more bridges.

Scraper SystemAugust 01, 2026, 11:43 AM

Restored historical bridges reach 528, says Minister Uraloğlu

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu spoke at the opening ceremony of the restored historical Sangarios (Justinian) Bridge in Sakarya. Minister Uraloğlu announced that the number of historical bridges completed through restoration and added to the cultural heritage has reached 528.

1,500-year-old bridge comes back to life

Built by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian between AD 558–562, the Sangarios Bridge is one of the most magnificent Early Byzantine structures in Anatolia. The 370-meter-long, 12-arch bridge, made entirely of limestone, had deteriorated over the centuries due to earthquakes and floods.

Through an extensive restoration carried out by the General Directorate of Highways, the bridge’s stone piers and arches were repaired in accordance with their original texture. With landscaping, lighting systems, and promenades, the structure was given both aesthetic and functional character.

528 historical bridges restored

In his speech, Minister Uraloğlu stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage and recalled that they have restored many historical structures so far, including Hıdırlık Bridge, Malabadi Bridge, Kızılin Bridge, Taşköprü, Osmancık Koyunbaba Bridge, and Diyarbakır Ongözlü Bridge.

Uraloğlu said, "The number of historical bridges we have restored and brought into our cultural heritage has reached 528. Restoration work on 40 more historical bridges is continuing at various locations across our country."

Sakarya's transport network expands

The minister announced that over 251 billion lira has been invested in transport and communication infrastructure in Sakarya since 2002. He noted that the length of divided roads increased from 131 kilometers to 403 kilometers, while the length of hot-mix asphalt paved roads rose from 167 kilometers to 555 kilometers.

Uraloğlu stated that the Northern Marmara Motorway connects Sakarya to Istanbul and Kocaeli to a high standard, and noted that 54 kilometers of the Kaynarca-Karasu road are completed, with work continuing on the remaining 4.1 kilometers. He also announced that the tender for the Sakarya ring road will be held in August and construction will begin this year.

Touching on railway investments, the minister said that the existing conventional line in Sakarya has been completely renewed, construction of the Adapazarı-Karasu railway line has started, and the tender for the Adapazarı-Serdivan rail system line will be held and its foundation laid this year. He added that testing has begun on the high-speed train produced at the TÜRASAŞ factory and that mass production will start by the end of the year.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Sakarya Governor Rahmi Doğan, AK Party Sakarya deputies, Metropolitan Mayor Yusuf Alemdar, and Highways General Director Ahmet Gülşen. After a prayer, the ribbon was cut.

Restored historical bridges reach 528, says Minister Uraloğlu