25 HIGHWAY PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN KASTAMONU
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, accompanied by the Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, visited Kastamonu on Tuesday, March 12th, to inspect the transportation investments in the region and gather information about the ongoing projects.
"The aim is to strengthen the safe and comfortable transportation network in our cities"
In his press statement following the inspections, Minister Uraloğlu emphasized the economic diversity of Kastamonu, highlighting the city's activities across various sectors including forestry, mining, textiles, tourism, energy, and healthcare. He underscored the significant importance they place on the development of transportation and communication infrastructure in the region.
Our Ministry has one sole objective in the infrastructure investments projected from the east to the west, and from the north to the south of our country: to strengthen the safe and comfortable transportation network of our cities, thereby enhancing the standard of living for our people," stated the Minister. He went on to elaborate on the details of the transportation infrastructure investments made in Kastamonu since 2002, highlighting the benefits brought about by these investments in transportation."
"In Kastamonu, we are currently progressing with work on 25 separate highway projects"
Thanks to the investments made, we have connected Kastamonu to Çankırı, Kırıkkale, Ankara, Istanbul, Karabük, Samsun, and Boyabat with divided highways. Additionally, we have addressed flood damages and completed the Eastern and Western Ring Roads of Kastamonu. Currently, we are progressing with work on 25 separate highway projects," stated Uraloğlu. He further elaborated on one of the significant transportation projects in Kastamonu, the Kırık Dam Variant Road, providing detailed insights:
"The approximately 7-kilometer section of the Kastamonu-Çankırı Provincial Border Road, which serves as a divided highway spanning 31 kilometers, will be submerged under the waters of the Kırık Dam, where construction works are ongoing. Therefore, to accommodate this, we have redesigned the route in this section, projecting a 20.4-kilometer Kırık Dam Variant Road according to the standards of bituminous hot mix coated divided roads. Within the project, with a total cost of 8.2 billion Turkish Lira, there will be 1 double-tube tunnel measuring 5,330 meters in length, 1 single-tube tunnel measuring 279 meters in length, 2 double viaducts spanning 686 meters in total length, 6 different-level intersections, and 2 at-grade intersections. We have achieved a 29.5 percent of physical completion rate across the project."
Minister Uraloğlu also announced plans to visit the construction site of another ongoing highway project, the Küre Uzunöz Tunnel, during their visits to Kastamonu. He mentioned that the physical completion rate for this project has reached 15.5 percent.
"There is still much work to be done for Kastamonu"
Stating that the efforts in Kastamonu extend beyond highway investments alone, the Minister emphasized the integrated planning of transportation infrastructure across all modes. He expressed commitment to continuing investments that will enhance tourism, agriculture, and industry in the region. Concluding his speech, he emphasized that there are still many tasks to be accomplished and much effort to be expended for Kastamonu.
