In the annual coordination meeting organized by Transportation Ministry and TOBB, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Ministry Talat Aydin presented the status of projects within the scope of Transformation from Transportation to Logistics Program of 10th Development Plan.

The railway projects and their deadlines are explained as follows:

2016

Nemrut Bay Railway Connection

The construction works were supposed to start this year, but stopped by court due to route via conservation area. With this project, all the ports in Nemrut Bay will be connected to Bicerova Rail Station.

Railway connected ports of Turkey

Kemalpasa Logistics Center

Ground works had been completed last year. The railway connection is also completed. Logistic facilities are planned to be built by “built-operate-transfer” method. It’s planned to be completed in 2016.

Cumaovasi-Tepekoy Railway Line

Electrification and signalization works between Cumaovasi and Tepekoy, which will provide extension of Izban suburban service, will be completed in 2016.

Electrification and Signalization

Electrification and signalization works on Bogazkopru-Ulukisla-Yenice railway, where there’s one of the most heavy freight traffic, will be completed by the end of 2016. The electrification and signalization works will also be completed until end of 2016 on Bandirma-Balikesir-Manisa-Menemen, Kayas-Irmak-Kirıkkale-Cetinkaya, Eskisehir-Kutahya-Balikesir railway lines.

Electrification on Turkish rail network

2017

Adapazari-Karasu Railway

Adapazari-Karasu railway was planned to be completed in 2015, but project was delayed due to ground problems and increase in cost. Railway is planned to be completed in 2017.

2018

Ambarli Port Railway Connection

Busiest container port of Turkey, Ambarli will be connected to national rail network by the end of 2018. Construction works has not started yet.

Candarli Container Port

The first phase of Candarli Container Port, the necessity of which is under discussion after ports in Nemrut Bay developed very fast, is planned to be completed in December 2018. Railway connection will be ready by opening.

Filyos Port

Infrastructure works of Filyos Port will be completed in 2018. The port will be rail connected via Adapazir-Karasu railway.

Logistics Centers

6 logistics centers opened until now by TCDD. 7 new logistics centers are planned to open until the end of 2018.

Double Track Railways

Construction of second track on Adana-Toprakkale, Arifiye-Pamukova, Konya-Karaman and Karaman-Yenice railway lines and third and fourth tracks on Adana-Mersin railway line will be completed by the end of 2018. These lines will also be electrified and signalized within the same period.

New Railway Lines

The new railway shortening rail connection to Gaziantep and new railway line connecting Nusaybin to Iraq border (Habur) will be completed until the end of 2018. However, the current railway section from Gaziantep to Nusaybin is kept closed due to security problems along Syrian border.

Electrification and Signalization

Electrification and signalization works on Irmak-Karabuk-Zonguldak and Manisa-Usak-Afyonkarahisar will be completed until the end of 2018.

2023

Istanbul-Antalya Railway

The railway project connectign Antalya Port to national rail network will be ready by 2023.

Cover Photo: Eksper Rail ©