TRANSPORTATION IN ALANYA IS BEING STRENGTHENED WITH NEW INVESTMENTS
A significant portion of the Eastern Ring Road, which is crucial for both urban and transit traffic in Alanya, along with the grade-separated Demirtaş Junction, has been opened to traffic. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of these projects, which provide faster, safer, and uninterrupted transportation services, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that they always come to Antalya with service, projects, and prosperity. He added, “By ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow on the Alanya-Gazipaşa section of the Mediterranean Coastal Road, we have significantly reduced congestion and delays caused by the increase in tourism traffic, particularly during the summer months."
"In 23 years, we have invested 244,6 billion in Antalya's transportation and communication infrastructure"
Highlighting the investments carried out in Antalya and its districts, Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that the Ministry has invested over 244.6 billion lira in Antalya's transportation and communication infrastructure over the past 23 years. He continued:
'We have increased the length of dual carriageways from 197 kilometers to 761 kilometers, and the length of asphalt concrete (BSK) paved roads from 123 kilometers to 1,101 kilometers. We opened the Antalya Western Ring Road and put the Başköy, Korkuteli, Kirişçiler, and Isparta Interchanges on the Antalya Northern Ring Road into service. As part of the Antalya-Kemer-Tekirova-Finike Road, we inaugurated the Phaselis Tunnel, thereby strengthening access to Antalya's tourism hotspots, including Demre, Finike, Kumluca, Kemer, Kaş, and Kalkan. We also opened the 5-kilometer-long Demirkapı Tunnel, a key passage on the north-south axis connecting Antalya to Konya. This tunnel allows travelers to cross the Taurus Mountains, which separate the Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions, in just five minutes with full tunnel comfort. Additionally, we constructed the tunnels on the Alanya-Kuşyuvası-Taşkent Road.'
Minister Uraloğlu stated that Antalya has been equipped with modern roads, tunnels, and bridges spanning north to south and east to west. He also noted that construction of the Antalya-Alanya Motorway has begun. The 122-kilometer Project comprising 84 kilometers of main route and 38 kilometers of connecting roads will feature 5 tunnels, 16 viaducts, and 7 interchanges, representing the pinnacle of modern engineering.
Highlighting the significance of the newly inaugurated Alanya Eastern Ring Road section and the Demirtaş Junction on the Alanya-Gazipaşa Road, Minister Uraloğlu noted that the Eastern Ring Road has eased Alanya's urban traffic and diverted transit traffic away from the city center. He continued:
"We designed our ring road between Hasbahçe and Kargıcak as a 15.2-kilometer dual carriageway with asphalt concrete (BSK) surfacing. Today, we take pride in opening the 12-kilometer section between Hasbahçe and Mahmutlar. On this section, we have brought to life one of the finest examples of modern engineering, constructing a total of three twin-tube tunnels—the 653-meter-long Oba Tunnel, the 1,692-meter-long Dim Tunnel, and the 363-meter-long Mahmutlar Cut-and-Cover Tunnel—along with seven twin bridges totaling 1,031 meters, a single 60-meter bridge, and three grade-separated junctions."
Uraloğlu mentioned that the project reduces urban traffic congestion, enhances vehicle and pedestrian safety, and ensures that transit traffic flows smoothly and uninterrupted, non-stop.
"Our two important Projects will contribute to long term regional development"
Highlighting that the districts in the east of Antalya now have a safe, comfortable, and high-standard connection to Mersin and Gazipaşa Airport, Minister Uraloğlu stated:
"With the full opening of our Eastern Ring Road, we are shortening the route by 3 kilometers compared to the existing road and reducing travel time from approximately 35 minutes to 10 minutes. This will result in an annual total saving 3.796 billion lira, including 3.6 billion lira in time and 196 million lira in fuel. Additionally, by reducing carbon emissions by 11,903 tons, we will protect Alanya's pristine nature and the turquoise shores of the Mediterranean.
Continuing his speech regarding the Demirtaş Junction on the Alanya-Gazipaşa Road, Minister Uraloğlu stated:
'With this project, we have ensured uninterrupted traffic flow on the Alanya-Gazipaşa section of the Mediterranean Coastal Road. The Demirtaş Junction, which previously operated as an at-grade roundabout, has been transformed into a grade-separated junction with a 35-meter-long underpass. The junction now serves traffic with four lanes two in each direction built to dual carriageway standards with asphalt concrete (BSK) surfacing. This has significantly reduced congestion and delays, particularly those caused by the increase in tourism traffic during the summer months. Our project will provide an annual saving of approximately 19.2 million lira, including 14.6 million lira in time and 4.6 million lira in fuel. Thanks to the smooth traffic flow, carbon emissions will also be reduced by 68 tons per year, contributing to climate-friendly transportation goals.Beyond enhancing traffic safety and comfort, these investments will allow Alanya and Gazipaşa to conduct their tourism, agriculture, and trade activities more efficiently on a modern infrastructure, providing long-term benefits to regional development."
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director General of Highway Ahmet Gülşen emphasized the importance of highway investments, stating that 'highway Project, which shape not only the present but also the future of cities, are strategic investment that bring ecenomic development together with social life.'
Sharing details on the 12 kilometer section of the Alanya Eastern Ring Road and another major investment, The Demirtaş Junction, Gülşen stated that of the 12 kilometer section inaugurated, the first 4.5 kilometers were constructed as a six-line with three lanes in each direction, while the remaining 7.5 kilometers were built as a four lane with two lanes in each direction. Emphasizing that 'through ring roads, interchange, tunnels and bridges, we regulate traffic in urban. We relieve residential areas from transit traffic and, through projects, ease the present of cities while planning their transportation fort he future.' He underlined the strategic approach of the investments.
