Construction stages completed in essential transportation development
The Dörtyol-Hassa Railway and Highway Project, a major infrastructure development in Southeast Anatolia, Turkey, is set to begin construction. This transformative scheme, managed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's General Directorate of Infrastructure Investments, aims to link the Gulf of Iskenderun directly with industrial zones behind the Amanos Mountains and the city of Gaziantep via a new highway and railway corridor.
The project, considered a critical infrastructure need in the wake of the Feb. 6 earthquakes, features twin 20-kilometer-long tunnels for road traffic, each with four lanes, and a single-track railway tunnel passing through the Amanos Mountains. A financing package of approximately €1.55 billion ($1.8 billion) has been secured from a consortium led by France’s Societe Generale, backed by the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN) and the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
The impact on the economy and transportation in Southeast Anatolia is expected to be significant. The route will cut the distance between Gaziantep and Iskenderun Port from about 210 km to around 117 km, enabling faster and more efficient transport. By providing southeastern Anatolia’s industries direct access to eastern Mediterranean ports, the project is expected to significantly lower transportation costs, improve supply chains, and boost trade capacity in the region.
The project will stimulate regional economic growth by improving connectivity and facilitating industrial and commercial activities. It is anticipated to foster tourism growth in Hatay Province and surrounding areas. The tunnels and routes will provide safer, more comfortable, and uninterrupted travel compared to existing routes that cross mountainous terrain. Stronger supply chains are anticipated as a result of the Dörtyol-Hassa project, alleviating freight-related traffic issues in the region.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized the potential for improved regional access through the Dörtyol-Hassa route. He stated that the distance from Gaziantep to Iskenderun Port will decrease from about 210 kilometers to around 117 kilometers with the project. The minister also highlighted that the project is one of the Republic's largest infrastructure undertakings, and is expected to accelerate the region's tourism development.
Groundbreaking for the project is expected to occur soon, marking a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity, boosting economic activity, and improving transportation efficiency and safety in Southeast Anatolia, Turkey.
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