Minister Uraloğlu announced: A new airport is coming to the sea

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu delivered a presentation at the AK Party Trabzon Provincial Advisory Council meeting, which he attended as part of his Trabzon program. Minister Uraloğlu presented the transportation projects implemented in Trabzon in their previous stages and provided a comparative overview of completed investments, accompanied by visuals.

TRABZON: 175 BILLION LIRA TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION INVESTMENT

Minister Uraloğlu stated that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has implemented approximately 175 billion lira in transportation and communications investments in Trabzon. He said, "We increased the length of divided highways from 56 kilometers to 265 kilometers. We increased hot asphalt from 89 kilometers to 554 kilometers. Look, there was only 600 meters of tunnel, but today we have expanded it to 63.6 kilometers. In other words, we have done the most difficult work and continue to do so."

EUROPE'S LONGEST DOUBLE-TUBE HIGHWAY TUNNEL: ZIGANA TUNNEL

Minister Uraloğlu, stating that they have completed Zigana, Europe's longest twin-tube road tunnel , said, "As our President says, 'from where to where...' We're talking about a 14.5-kilometer route that would take a person about four hours on foot. We can cross it in minutes. Look, those who know the past will remember."

Recalling that the progress rate on the Black Sea Coastal Road was around 25-30 percent when the AK Party government came to power, Minister Uraloğlu made the following statement:

"Thank goodness, our government, led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was able to complete the Black Sea Coastal Road, along with the will of our President. Our friends know how it used to be; it was practically impossible to overtake a car. Head-on collisions were rampant."

Minister Uraloğlu stated that the Akyazı Tunnel is one of the most significant investments ever made, reminding everyone that they completed and opened the modern roundabout that will serve the Beşikdüzü-İskenderli-Tonya road, Akyazı Stadium, and the hospital. Minister Uraloğlu said, "The Hagia Sophia Intersection is finished again. There was much debate about whether this intersection would work in Trabzon. But we all use it. It was a truly successful project. We did a similar project in Moloz. We also completed the University Intersection in Söğütlü. We converted Erdoğdu Road into a divided highway. In other words, we have virtually implemented an environmental and urban planning project there."

Work continues on the Southern Ring Road

Minister Uraloğlu also discussed ongoing projects and provided information about the Southern Ring Road. He said, "Some people announced that we were holding a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, but today we are continuing work on seven tunnels and many sections there. We have begun work on the first phase, including the viaducts."

Minister Uraloğlu, stating that they have generally completed the main axis on Kanuni Boulevard, said, "We have connected it to Değirmendere. We are continuing our work on the Çukurçayır-1 tunnel. After completion, we will of course discuss how we should continue here with all city administrators."

Minister Uraloğlu also stated that the Düzköy-Tonya Road is 87 percent complete, the Pulathane Boulevard is 80 percent complete, and the Akçaabat-Düzköy Road is 75 percent complete, adding, "We have generally completed the Of-Çaykara Road.

"We've generally completed our approximately 2-kilometer tunnel, which runs from Erzurum to the city center in Maçka and aims to address the traffic congestion near the industrial zone. By completing all its connections, we will both ease the main axis and ease transportation throughout the surrounding industrial zone and the Değirmendere region. We've reached 65% completion here," he said.

Minister Uraloğlu stated that they have tendered a 10-kilometer section of the Araklı-Dağbaşı Road and that they will continue the work by tendering the rest of the section once work is completed. He also noted that they have completed the main section of the Yalıncak Bulak Çağlayan Road and are continuing work.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM PROJECT

Minister Uraloğlu, providing information about the Light Rail System Project, stated that the line will serve the city's densely populated areas. He stated, "Hopefully, we will have completed our project this month, roughly within a month. After that, we will submit it to the 2026 investment program, first completing the section between the Akyazı campus and the airport, and then offering it to you."

Minister Uraloğlu stated that the rail system project, along with the Ring Road, will ease city traffic, and continued his words as follows:

"We are truly focused on service politics. It's not our duty to sling mud at anyone. We abstain from criticism. Everything we do must be done both conscientiously and legally. Of course, we will take responsibility. Of course, we will take risks, and of course, we will know that we will be held accountable tomorrow. We continue on our path with this approach."

Minister Uraloğlu stated that they had fulfilled all the requirements regarding the Ring Road project, just as they had stated, saying, "Politics is taking risks. We started it that day and have since fulfilled all the requirements. We have no shortcomings. But let me tell you about a project that hasn't been properly fulfilled. Look, regarding the Ümraniye-Finanskent project in Istanbul and the metro line that continues from there... There's no such thing as a full €60 million received from a major investment and finance institution in Europe. I've never encountered anything like this in my professional life. You, as the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, receive money from a financial institution, and despite the €60 million worth of manufacturing being done by three of Turkey's largest companies, you're still there talking. But of course, we will hold them accountable, and we will continue to do so. No offense to anyone. If there is any accountability, hold them accountable."

Minister Uraloğlu stated that they have also initiated the Samsun-Sarp Railway Project, adding that they have first started the construction of the Kırıkkale-Çorum section and will hold the tender for the Çorum-Samsun section next year.

The new Trabzon airport will be Türkiye's third sea-based airport.

Minister Uraloğlu also made a statement regarding aviation investments, stating that they had completed the work they had initiated at the existing airport and resolved short-term problems. Noting that there were 140 daily flights, and that this number sometimes rose to 160-180, Minister Uraloğlu stated , "Trabzon Airport is the seventh busiest airport in Turkey. It will not be enough for us in the future, and that's what's being planned for. We will be building a third airport on the Black Sea, just a little further north of our current airport. We are detailing the projects. Hopefully, we will be able to initiate and complete this under the leadership of our AK Party governments and President."