Hours-long journey between two provinces to drop to 2.5 hours! Date set for high-speed train

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu made statements regarding the Samsun-Ankara high-speed train project. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Samsun City Hospital, Uraloğlu stated that once the project is completed, the travel time between Samsun and Ankara will decrease to 2.5 hours.

Uraloğlu noted that under current conditions, travel from Samsun to Ankara by road takes 4-5 hours, while bus travel takes approximately 6 hours, and expressed that this time will be significantly shortened with the completion of the high-speed rail line.

Stating that work on the project has begun from Kırıkkale, Uraloğlu reported that construction activities are ongoing in the section up to Çorum. Indicating that the tender for the Merzifon-Çorum-Havza section has been held, Uraloğlu said that work in this section is planned to begin in the first months of next year.

Uraloğlu stated that the tender for the Havza-Kavak-Samsun section of the line is also aimed to be held next year under the instructions of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Minister Uraloğlu said, "When the railway is finished, we will get there in just two and a half hours."

Touching upon transportation investments across Turkey in his speech, Uraloğlu said that the length of divided roads has been increased from 6 thousand 101 kilometers to 30 thousand 205 kilometers, and that 77 provinces have been connected to each other with divided roads. Stating that Turkey has a high-speed railway network of 2 thousand 251 kilometers, Uraloğlu expressed that Turkey ranks sixth in Europe and eighth in the world in high-speed railway operations.

Uraloğlu stated that the flight network has also expanded in the field of aviation, noting that the number of airports has been increased from 26 to 58, and that Turkey can fly to 356 destinations in 133 countries.

Announcing that a capacity increase is also planned for Samsun Çarşamba Airport, Uraloğlu reported that the airport's annual passenger capacity will be increased from 2 million to 3 million. The Minister noted that a new 29 thousand 120 square meter domestic and international terminal will be built from scratch in Samsun.

Uraloğlu stated that Samsun is in a strong position in the fields of industry, infrastructure, and the defense industry, and said that they will continue to contribute to the city's development with transportation investments.