Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu visited the Sinanpaşa construction site for the Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Train (YHT) line as part of his program in Afyonkarahisar, inspecting ongoing works and sharing updates with the public.
Modernization of Turkey’s Railways
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since 2002, railways have been prioritized as a key state policy. He noted, “We have not only built new lines but also modernized the entire rail network we inherited. Currently, 61% of our lines are signalized and more than half are electrified, transforming our infrastructure into a safe, fast, and efficient railway system that meets international standards.”
He highlighted ongoing construction on several major railway projects, including Ankara-İzmir, Halkalı–Kapıkule, Bandırma–Bursa–Yenişehir–Osmaneli, and Mersin–Adana–Osmaniye–Gaziantep lines. Uraloğlu also mentioned progress on the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway project, which will further strengthen Turkey’s international railway connections.
Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Line: Key Details
The Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Train line will span 505 kilometers, linking major cities with stations in Ankara, Eryaman, Polatlı, Emirdağ, Afyonkarahisar, Uşak, Salihli, Turgutlu, Manisa, Menemen, and İzmir. The project involves the construction of 49 tunnels (totaling 41 km), 67 viaducts (26 km), 78 bridges, 769 culverts, and hundreds of underpasses and overpasses. Upon completion, the rail distance between Ankara and İzmir will decrease from 824 to 624 kilometers.
Significant Time Savings and Capacity
Travel time between Ankara and İzmir will be reduced from 14 hours by train and 7 hours by road to just 3 hours and 30 minutes by high-speed rail. Other routes, such as Ankara–Afyon and Ankara–Uşak, will also see substantial reductions in journey times. The line is expected to serve about 13.5 million passengers and transport 90 million tons of freight annually.
Construction Progress and Regional Impact
Minister Uraloğlu reported that significant milestones have been reached in the Polatlı-Afyon section, with excavation works nearing 98% completion and major progress in bridge, viaduct, and tunnel construction. Notably, excavation and concrete lining for the Bayat1 and Bayat2 tunnels are finished, and work on the Köroğlu Tunnel is set to conclude soon.
The high-speed line is set to bolster the economic vitality of Afyon, Uşak, and Manisa by connecting their agricultural and industrial sectors at an international level. Furthermore, İzmir’s ports and tourism potential will be more effectively integrated into Turkey’s overall economic growth.
Strengthening Turkey’s Global Logistics
Minister Uraloğlu concluded that the Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Train project is not just an infrastructure investment but a “bridge of prosperity” that will link major industrial and agricultural centers with national and international markets. The project reinforces Turkey’s ambition to become a key player in global logistics and trade.
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