Minister Uraloğlu: A new process is starting with Syria

Uraloğlu answered journalists' questions about current events in Iğdır, where he attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway Line.

"We calculate that we will gain 147.6 billion lira from the Zangezur Corridor in a 30-year projection."

Emphasizing the importance of the Zangezur Corridor for the region, Uraloğlu said that this road will also support the Middle Corridor.

Uraloğlu pointed out that trade via rail, along with the Middle Corridor, would significantly save time compared to sea transport, saying, "Ultimately, you need to have all kinds of alternatives. Once we build and complete this railway, the investment we've made here will return within a certain period of time. We're not just thinking about it as a transportation option; we're also thinking about it as a strategic investment."

Uraloğlu, stating that the Zangezur Corridor will be the shortest route connecting the Turkic world, the Turkic republics, and the Far East, said, "We will demonstrate a 15 million-ton cargo carrying capacity on the Zangezur Corridor. Over the 30-year projection, we will generate 135 billion lira in operating revenue, 3 billion lira in accident revenue, 2.1 billion lira in climate revenue, 3.5 billion lira in time revenue, and 4 billion lira in highway maintenance revenue from the corridor. Thus, we estimate that we will generate 147.6 billion lira in revenue from the Zangezur Corridor over the 30-year projection."

Uraloğlu stated that 12 organized industrial zones were established around the Izmir-Istanbul Highway, and that this transportation route brings with it many opportunities such as logistics , industrialization and employment.

"Transportation will become easier with new transportation projects in Anatolia"

In response to the question, "Could a similar process occur on the Kars-Iğdır-Aralık-Dilucu Railway Line?", Uraloğlu explained that the will to not build new industrial facilities in Istanbul was evident, and that production facilities could easily be established in Anatolia with the facilitation of transportation through new transportation projects.

"We will come together as Jordan, Syria and Türkiye in the autumn"

Minister Uraloğlu stated that steps were taken to allow trucks to pass through the Syrian border without loading or unloading.

"We've made an agreement, and Syria needs to make the necessary applications and receive permission from us," Uraloğlu said, continuing: "They haven't started them yet. Of course, there are many non-standard vehicles in Syria that haven't been regularly maintained. Initially, we will allow non-standard vehicles to arrive as soon as the first province after customs, but we have also allowed standard vehicles to cross into third countries. Similarly, our vehicles will travel to Syria and then to Jordan. Now, to make this transport more professional, we will meet with the ministers of Jordan, Syria, and Turkey in the fall."

"A similar process is underway regarding Aleppo."

Uraloğlu also provided information about Türkiye's land and railway projects in Syria, saying that they have carried out a lot of work in the region so far and that talks with the Syrian side regarding the continuation are ongoing.

Uraloğlu stated that Türkiye's initial goal is to restore the completely destroyed railway line, which stretches from Gaziantep to Aleppo, and that $120 million in financing is needed for this renovation, and that joint efforts with Syria are ongoing to ensure that financing is provided by international organizations.

Uraloğlu noted that the damage to a section of the Hejaz Railway required low financing and that Turkey would undertake the renovations. He shared his view, "Turkish companies won the tender to renovate and expand Damascus Airport. A similar process is underway in Aleppo. Syria needs everything, from infrastructure to superstructure. The source of the problem needs to be addressed."

"The projects are being built in accordance with earthquake regulations."

Uraloğlu, noting that highway construction tenders in Turkey are conducted in accordance with earthquake regulations, said: "Regulations are essential for projects. Therefore, projects must be prepared in accordance with earthquake regulations. In 2020, the General Directorate of Highways was tasked with issuing earthquake regulations for all transportation structures, including energy transmission lines, railways, highways, airports, and seaports, so that all regulations could be implemented centrally. With the participation of all relevant institutions, this regulation was published and implemented. Every project is carried out in accordance with this regulation, and the tender is automatically awarded with earthquake sensitivity in mind."

"Transportation structures passed the necessary tests in the earthquake"

Uraloğlu emphasized that there is no such problem in any new production.

Uraloğlu stated that old structures should be overhauled according to risk groups and new earthquake regulations, saying, "We've taken 80-90% of the earthquake precautions for these types of structures on highways, especially Istanbul's bridges. For example, we've replaced all the suspension cables on both the July 15th and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges. Therefore, we're also renovating old and risky structures within a program. The main lines have been reviewed for potential earthquakes. We still have ongoing projects, particularly in Istanbul and the Marmara Region. Transportation structures have passed the necessary test during earthquakes."

Uraloğlu emphasized that projects are ongoing to reduce traffic congestion in the event of an earthquake in Istanbul, and shared the following information about the Ankara metro project: "We are revising the Esenboğa Metro project. It's our responsibility. The municipality requested that we do this, our President approved it, and we've taken it on. It's an old project, and we're reviewing it. We'll probably finish the review this year. I think we can put it out to tender next year."

"Speed ​​studies on the roads continue"

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Uraloğlu pointed out that speed limit studies on the roads are continuing.

Uraloğlu, stating that they will complete certain routes by the end of the year, said, "We've made some adjustments. We'll close pedestrian crossings where necessary. We'll implement the differences between the two provinces through decisions made by the traffic commissions. There were pedestrian crossings in many places. You have to reduce the speed to 50 mph at pedestrian crossings, so we're closing the ones that are close to each other and building overpasses and underpasses there."