📋 Tender Overview
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uralo?lu answered questions from journalists as part of the Special Session at the Türkiye Century Summit in Transport and Infrastructure. Minister Uralo?lu evaluated many issues from international projects to communication, from the support provided to Syria to the 16 age limit on social media.
At the Transportation and Infrastructure Summit of Turkey Century organized by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Albayrak Media, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uralo?lu answered questions from journalists within the scope of the Special Session. Minister Uralo?lu, who made statements on many issues from transportation to communication, conveyed the developments in Turkey in the last 23 years. Uralo?lu stated that they have invested approximately 290 billion liras in the transportation and infrastructure field since 2002. Uralo?lu said, “From divided highways to increasing the number of airports from 26 to 58, introducing high-speed train operations to our country; we have done and continue to do many things from maritime to communication, subscriber numbers, fast internet usage, and 5G.”
Minister Uralo?lu, who emphasized that Turkey is evaluating its 2071 goals, also drew attention to the importance of investments and the importance of Turkey's mega projects. Uralo?lu said, “We opened the Northern Marmara Motorway in 2016 with the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and its connections, then we completed the whole thing. At that time, part of the Gezi Events was the demand that that bridge and motorway not be built. When we come to today, is there anyone who discusses the reason for the construction of the Northern Marmara Motorway and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge? 150 thousand vehicles pass through there. Let's think for a moment that it doesn't, let alone Istanbul, Türkiye and Europe would be in trouble.”
Uralo?lu, stating that there have always been those who opposed the construction of projects such as the July 15 Martyrs Bridge, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Eurasia Tunnel and Marmaray, said, “None of these are being discussed now, we did the right things and we will continue to do the right things.”
A Cargo Setting Out from the Far East with the Development Road Project Will Reach London in 25 Days
Minister Uralo?lu, who also answered questions about the Development Road Project, noted that a cargo from the Far East would reach London in 35 days if it used the Suez Canal, and in 45 days if it came via the Cape of Good Hope. He explained that this process would be reduced to 25 days with the Development Road Project, which will start from the FAW Port in the Persian Gulf. Stating that the road would connect to Europe from Kap?kule, Uralo?lu said, “It will also connect to the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Aegean Regions. It will further strengthen Turkey’s position as a trade corridor.”
Minister Uralo?lu noted that they worked with Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates within the scope of the project and noted that the project phase was completed and they were focusing on management and financing models.
Support from Turkey to Syria
Minister Uralo?lu, who also made a statement about Syria, noted that Turkey supports Syria in transportation and infrastructure as well as in every field. Uralo?lu said, “We sent a delegation to Syria, Aleppo and Damascus airports just 10 days later. We made the necessary determinations. Turkish Airlines started to organize 3 flights a week there. There are conditions there where the pilot can land and take off completely according to visual conditions.”
First Damascus, Then Aleppo Airport Will Be Revived
Uralo?lu explained that they initially made a program to renew radar systems and other electronic devices, and said, “Our friends are still there. First, we will revive Damascus and then Aleppo Airport. Some devices require a 6-month period to procure, we immediately sent the ones we had and started their assembly.” Uralo?lu also stated that the necessary determinations were made for the highways, railways, ports and communication in Syria.
Istanbul Needs a 1,400-Kilometer Metro Line
Uralo?lu, who also made a statement about Istanbul's urban traffic, emphasized that the problem in question can only be solved underground. Minister Uralo?lu made the following statements in his statement:
“According to our study for Istanbul, there is a need for a 1,400-kilometer rail system. If national network connections are to be made, this is directly under the authority of our Ministry. The authority for lines other than this belongs to the relevant municipality. The relevant municipality brings that project to us and gets it approved. If the relevant municipality requests this from our Ministry, we get the necessary approval and do it. With this approach, we have provided Istanbul with approximately 162 kilometers of rail and metro lines so far.”
Uralo?lu, who also mentioned the ongoing projects between Istanbul Airport-Halkal? and Çaml?ca Mosque-Bosna Boulevard, said, “When we complete these, Istanbul’s line will be 400 kilometers.” Uralo?lu also noted that there is no metro project that has not been approved by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
5G in Galatasaray and Trabzonspor Stadiums
Minister Uralo?lu stated that they aim to receive signals throughout the country in 2026 by holding a tender for 5G this year. Noting that they aim to develop the localization of the technology in this process, Uralo?lu said, “We had given 5G trial licenses at 34 points. We recently added Galatasaray and Trabzonspor stadiums to this, making it 36.”
