Privatization decision for bridges and highways had been issued: Statement from the Ministry! It is revenue, not profit

Following the publication of the Presidential Decree in the Official Gazette regarding the transfer of operating rights for certain bridges and highways operated by the General Directorate of Highways, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance responded to public debate.

In a statement made by the Privatization Administration, it was noted that the ongoing efforts do not involve the sale of public assets, but rather the evaluation of a model for transferring operating rights for a specific period, with ownership remaining with the state.

According to the decree, in addition to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the KGM European Motorway, KGM Anatolian Motorway, Izmir-Aydin, Izmir-Cesme, Nigde-Mersin-Adana, Adana-Gaziantep, Gaziantep-Sanliurfa, and Toprakkale-Iskenderun motorways, as well as some ring roads, are included in the process.

The statement noted that technical, legal, and financial preparations are being carried out in coordination with relevant institutions, in accordance with legislation, and in a transparent manner. It was stated that the priority of the model is not merely to generate revenue; but to improve service quality, accelerate maintenance and investments, and increase operational efficiency.

The Ministry also responded to the claim raised in the public sphere that "the motorways make 600 million dollars in profit annually." The statement clarified that the amount in question is revenue, not profit, and that approximately 300 million dollars of this is allocated to maintenance and repair expenses.

Furthermore, it was emphasized that investment and renewal expenditures, as well as personnel and operating costs, must also be included in the calculation. Therefore, it was reported that calculating "30 years of profit" or "public loss" by directly multiplying 600 million dollars by 30 years is not technically or financially valid.

The statement also indicated that there is no decision that would lead to making free motorways toll-based, imposing additional increases on toll fees, or causing employees to lose their existing rights.

The Ministry announced that the Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette dated September 5, 2026, does not mean that a privatization tender will be launched immediately; rather, the Privatization Administration has been authorized for the necessary procedures.

News Source: 12punto