Ankara / Anadolu

**Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu to Anadolu:

– We plan to increase the total length of railway lines to 28,590 kilometers by 2053

– The railway network, which was around 11,000 kilometers in 2002, has now reached nearly 14,009 kilometers

– The planned railway line on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge in Istanbul will provide an alternative to the Marmaray line for crossing the Bosphorus Strait

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said that Turkey aims to connect all parts of the country with high-speed train lines, enabling travel across all of Turkey within 48 hours by 2053.

In a statement to Anadolu, Uraloğlu explained that the ministry aims to increase the total railway length to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 and to 28,590 kilometers by 2053.

He added: "We are currently continuing construction work on lines totaling 4,164 kilometers."

Uraloğlu noted that they plan to increase the number of provinces directly connected to high-speed rail from 11 to 27 by 2028.

He continued: "In 2053, we will connect all parts of our country with high-speed train lines, and we will travel across all of Turkey within 48 hours."

Uraloğlu emphasized that transport projects are not just physical investments, but strategic steps that support production, exports, employment, regional development, and international cooperation.

He pointed out that Turkey has carried out historic investments worth $355 billion in transportation and infrastructure over the last 24 years.

Uraloğlu reported that the railway network, which was approximately 11,000 kilometers in 2002, has now reached nearly 14,009 kilometers, including 2,251 kilometers of high-speed train lines.

He explained that the Kars–Iğdır–Aralık–Dilucu railway line currently under construction will strengthen rail connectivity between Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Uraloğlu said that the planned railway line on the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (the third bridge) in Istanbul will provide an alternative to the Marmaray line for crossing the Bosphorus Strait.

He revealed that they plan to start construction work on this line within the current year after the completion of the tender process.