Uraloğlu: Istanbul Needs a 1,004 Kilometers Metro Line

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, pointed out that Istanbul needs 1,004 kilometers of metro lines, stating, "It is no longer possible to solve Istanbul's transportation problem from the surface. Just like in the world's leading metropolises, transportation in Istanbul must largely be moved underground with more metro lines." Emphasizing that they will increase the length of Istanbul's rail system to 394.5 kilometers once the ongoing projects are completed, Uraloğlu stated, "More than 600 kilometers of metro lines need to be constructed. This needs to be well planned from now."

Minister Uraloğlu spoke at the Sustainable Transportation Solutions Panel for Mega Transportation Projects in Istanbul. He conveyed that transportation is a matter that directly affects the quality of life in metropolises, saying, "We have come together to produce solutions that will shape the future of our city by combining mega transportation projects with sustainability principles."

"5,800,000 Motor Vehicles in Istanbul" Uraloğlu shared that there are approximately 5,800,000 motor vehicles in Istanbul, which has a population of 16 million, stating, "Both the population density and the number of vehicles affect urban traffic. The number of vehicles in Istanbul exceeds the total number of vehicles in Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa. Today, the number of vehicles in Istanbul is greater than that of 52 provinces combined. Therefore, whenever we mention Istanbul, we will indeed talk about mega transportation projects."

As the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Uraloğlu continued, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, they are building major projects to transform Istanbul into one of the most developed cities in Europe and the world: "By implementing mega projects such as Marmaray, the Eurasian Tunnel, Istanbul Airport, Çamlıca Tower, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the North Marmara Motorway, the Istanbul-İzmir Motorway, and the Istanbul-Ankara High-Speed Train Line, we have elevated Istanbul to a completely different level with a modern and effective transportation infrastructure beyond dreams. We have improved the quality of life for Istanbulites. In the last 22 years, we have invested over 1 trillion 206 billion liras in Istanbul's transportation and communication infrastructure."

"We Increased the Length of Divided Roads in Istanbul from 350 to 795 Kilometers" Uraloğlu also mentioned that they increased the length of divided roads in Istanbul from 350 kilometers to 795 kilometers, stating, "It had 68 bridges with a total length of 3,410 meters; we increased the number of bridges to 953 and the total length of bridges to 115,332 meters. This is almost a distance stretching from Üsküdar to Kocaeli Kartepe. There were only 3 tunnels in Istanbul with a length of 932 meters; we built 12 more tunnels, bringing the total to 22,406 meters. With these tunnels, we have significantly eased urban traffic in Istanbul."

"Our Construction Work at the Nakkaş-Başakşehir Section is Progressing Rapidly" Minister Uraloğlu explained that they opened the North Marmara Motorway, beginning with the Odayeri-Paşaköy initial phase in 2016, and added, "Our construction works at the Nakkaş-Başakşehir section, which forms the final part of the motorway, are also progressing rapidly. The Nakkaş-Başakşehir section has a total length of 45 kilometers, comprising 25 kilometers of the main body and 20 kilometers of connection roads. This project will help alleviate the traffic burden for our brothers living in Istanbul."

Uraloğlu noted that they will ensure traffic relief on the TEM Motorway and facilitate access to Başakşehir Çam Sakura City Hospital and the Olympic Stadium, stating, "With the project, we will also connect Hadımköy, Deliklikaya, İkitelli Industrial Zone, and Organized Industrial Districts to each other. By providing direct highway access to factories that are virtually the production center of the European side, we will also contribute to the development of industry and commerce."

Fast Access Between Istanbul Airport and Business Centers with the Sarıyer Kilyos Tunnel Uraloğlu emphasized that the Sarıyer Kilyos Tunnel project is another important road project currently under construction in Istanbul, mentioning, "The project, approximately 7 kilometers long, features 2 lanes in each direction and is built to the standard of a divided road with bituminous hot mix surfacing, with a total length of 8.2 kilometers when including connection roads. Once completed, our project will start operating free of charge. It will facilitate access from the Sarıyer, Maslak, and Levent regions to the North Marmara Motorway and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. I can say that we will contribute to Istanbul with a new 14-kilometer tunnel. Through the Sarıyer-Çayırbaşı Tunnel and the subsequent Sarıyer-Kilyos Tunnel, we will provide fast access between Istanbul Airport and Istanbul's business centers. Thanks to our project, we will reduce the distance according to current development roads by 3 kilometers, bringing travel time down from 35 minutes to 5 minutes."

Uraloğlu expressed that residents of neighborhoods located in the north of Istanbul, such as Kilyos, Demirciköy, Uskumruköy, Gümüşdere, Zekeriyaköy, and Kısırkaya, would easily access the central areas of Istanbul thanks to the tunnels.

"The Length of the Metro Line We Completed in Istanbul (IS:METRO) is 161.8 Kilometers" Uraloğlu emphasized that they have equipped Istanbul with modern rail system networks, stating, "With the century's project Marmaray and the Gebze-Halkalı Suburban Line, along with the Gayrettepe-Kağıthane-Istanbul Airport Metro, Istanbul Airport-Arnavutköy section, Sirkeci-Kazlıçeşme Rail System Line, Levent-Hisarüstü Metro, Pendik-Sabiha Gökçen Airport Metro, Başakşehir-Çam and Sakura City Hospital-Kayaşehir Metro, and Bakırköy Seaside-Bahçelievler-Güngören-Bağcılar Kirazlı Metro, the total length of the metro line we have completed and brought into service for Istanbulites is 161.8 kilometers."

"Travel Between Gayrettepe and Halkalı Stations Will Decrease to 57 Minutes" Uraloğlu noted that construction continues on the 17.5-kilometer Halkalı-Arnavutköy section and the Altunizade-Çamlıca Mosque-Bosna Boulevard Metro with a length of 4.53 kilometers for the Halkalı-Istanbul Airport line, stating, "In fact, when we finish the mentioned 17.5-kilometer Halkalı-Arnavutköy section as well; it will complete a 69-kilometer ring line, which will be the longest and fastest in Türkiye, entirely underground. With this ring line formed by the 37.5-kilometer Gayrettepe-Istanbul Airport line currently serving citizens and the ongoing Halkalı-Istanbul Airport metro lines, a passenger traveling between the furthest points of Gayrettepe and Halkalı stations will be able to complete their journey in a short time of 57 minutes."

"We Will Have a Second Railway Line Alternative to Marmaray" Uraloğlu stated that they are continuing construction work on the Halkalı-Kapıkule high-speed train project, saying, "With the railway connection we will establish over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, we will have a second railway line alternative to Marmaray over the Bosphorus."

80 Minutes with the Ankara-Istanbul Super High-Speed Train Uraloğlu mentioned that they are also focusing on a completely new line after the Istanbul-Ankara High-Speed Train line, which is the Ankara-Istanbul Super High-Speed Train Project, stating, "The route length of our super high-speed train line will be 344 kilometers. Our trains will reach speeds of 350 kilometers per hour, reducing travel time to 80 minutes. We will realize this within a 10-year projection. Our Istanbul Airport, with its massive capacity, has turned Turkey into an international transfer center and has brought our country to the top in global aviation. Today, Istanbul has become one of the largest global transit centers in aviation."

"1.25 Billion Passengers Have Used Marmaray in 11 Years" Stressing that approximately 1.25 billion passengers have used Marmaray since its opening 11 years ago, Uraloğlu mentioned, "It has provided services for nearly 15 times the population of Turkey. Imagine if we didn't have Marmaray or other metro and rail system lines I mentioned in Istanbul? Or if the two sides of the strait were still crossed only by two bridges, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge?"

The Eurasia Tunnel Contributed 2 Billion Dollars to the Country’s Economy in 8 Years Uraloğlu shared that the Eurasia Tunnel, which has completed its 8th year of service, has served 151 million vehicles in 8 years, stating, "It has served nearly five times the number of vehicles in Turkey. By saving a total of 261 thousand tons of fuel, 115 thousand tons of exhaust emissions, and 211 million hours of time, it has contributed 2 billion dollars to the country's economy. The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge has also been used by about 203 million vehicles since its opening. Imagine if neither the Eurasia Tunnel nor the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge had been built; how would urban traffic in Istanbul look? Can you imagine how passenger and driver traffic congestion would increase for those who couldn't use these routes, thereby increasing greenhouse gas emissions?"

Uraloğlu stated that 80,000 vehicles pass through the Eurasia Tunnel daily, 150,000 through the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, 200,000 through the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, and 240,000 through the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, adding, "With 300 train services daily at Marmaray, 700,000 people benefit from it. Just imagine if we hadn't provided these services during our Ak Party governments."

Istanbul Airport's Triple Runway Operation Starts on April 17 Uraloğlu emphasized that with its large capacity, Istanbul Airport has made Turkey an international transfer center and has raised it to the top in global aviation, stating, "Today, Istanbul is one of the largest global transit centers in aviation. Istanbul Airport has continued to achieve success with the increasing number of flights and passenger records, never losing the first place among Europe's busiest airports every year. Additionally, we will start the 'Simultaneous Independent Triple Parallel Runway Operations' on April 17, which will be implemented for the first time in Europe. We will enable three aircraft to land and take off simultaneously on 3 parallel runways at Istanbul Airport. Once this system is implemented, you can be certain that Istanbul Airport will never lose its first place again."

Çamlıca Tower Has Been Visited by 2.1 Million People Uraloğlu noted that Çamlıca Tower can broadcast 100 FM radio signals simultaneously, having removed 33 iron masses scattered on Çamlıca Hills, contributing significantly to the skyline of Istanbul, stating, "Çamlıca Tower, which offers panoramic views of Istanbul's skyline, historical symbols, and natural beauties, attracts a flow of visitors every day." He mentioned that approximately 2.1 million people have visited Çamlıca Tower since its opening on May 29, 2021.

"Istanbul Needs 1,004 Kilometers of Metro" Uraloğlu indicated that, according to their calculations, Istanbul needs 1,004 kilometers of metro lines, asserting, "As we have always expressed, it is no longer possible to solve Istanbul's transportation problems from the surface. Like in the world's leading metropolises, transportation in Istanbul must largely move underground with more metro lines. Considering the city's population and economic activity, it is evident that investments in underground transport networks have become inevitable."

The Length of Istanbul’s Rail System Will Reach 394.5 Kilometers Uraloğlu emphasized that when the projects they are currently working on are completed, the length of Istanbul's rail system will reach 394.5 kilometers, stating, "This means that more than 600 kilometers of metro lines still need to be built. This needs to be very well planned already. However, these projects should not merely consist of concrete structures. At the same time, they should offer sustainable solutions that respond to people's needs and aim to leave a livable city for future generations. With our projects that will serve both to alleviate surface vehicle traffic and provide continuous mobility in the metro underground, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will always stand by Istanbul and Istanbulites. We will continue to work until we establish a fast, safe, and comfortable transportation network that meets the needs of the people of Istanbul."

"For the Future of Istanbul, We All Need to Contribute" Uraloğlu emphasized that they will continue to work tirelessly until the transportation struggles on Istanbul's roads are over, stating, "For Istanbul and the future of Istanbul, we all need to contribute. We will share our vision for the future of transportation in Istanbul by coming together with stakeholders like you, generate new ideas, and collaboratively draw a roadmap. We aim to carry Istanbul's historical heritage into the future while building a modern and livable city. With these thoughts, I believe the panel on 'Sustainable Transportation Solutions with Mega Transportation Projects in Istanbul' will be one of the important reference sources in determining Istanbul's sustainable transportation policies."