MINISTER URALOĞLU INSPECTED INVESTMENT HIGHWAYS IN HATAY
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu visited Hatay to inspect the transportation projects being carried out in the city. Uraloğlu received information from officials about the ongoing works at the İskenderun–Antakya Motorway, the Antakya Ring Road Habibi Neccar Interchange, and the access roads to the Earthquake Housing projects. Uraloğlu underlined that the Turkish government has invested 86.748 billion lira in Hatay's transportation and communication infrastructure since 2002 and added the following to his remarks;
We increased the length of divided road in 2002 from 151 kilometers to 500 kilometers, and the length of bituminous asphalt pavement surfaced roads from 172 kilometers to 439 kilometers. Following the February 6 earthquakes, as a result of the works carried out by our General Directorate of Highways in the province, we have completed our works on 102 kilometers of the total 140 kilometers of access roads to earthquake housing. In addition, we continue our works on 15 highway projects in Hatay, including the Kırıkhan–Reyhanlı Road, the Ceyhan–Toprakkale–İskenderun State Road, and the İskenderun–Antakya Motorway, which we will inspect today.
A 19.2-Kilometer Motorway is Under Construction
Recalling that the foundation of the İskenderun–Antakya Motorway was laid in October 2024 with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Uraloğlu stated: 'We are constructing our motorway with a total length of 19.2 kilometers, consisting of a 17-kilometer main body and 2.2 kilometers of access roads. As part of the project, we are also upgrading the existing Topboğazı–Antakya State Road, which currently serves traffic with two lanes in each direction (a total of four lanes) over a length of 24.5 kilometers, to a three-lane per direction configuration (a total of six lanes), thereby improving its standards. Uraloğlu emphasized that upon completion, the motorway will provide faster and safer transportation by establishing direct connections to the D-825 State Road, which serves the districts of Kırıkhan, Hassa, İslâhiye, and Nurdağı in the Amik Plain, as well as to the provinces of Kahramanmaraş and Gaziantep, the Antakya Organized Industrial Zone, and Hatay Airport.
Following his visit to the motorway construction site, Uraloğlu inspected the Alazi (Büyükdalyan) Interchange at the Antakya Earthquake Housing project and the road works at the 6th Region Earthquake Housing. He stated: 'Our permanent homes rising in Dikmece are being connected to the future not only with asphalt but also with modern infrastructure and safe access roads. By completing 25.1 kilometers of our 27.5-kilometer road network, which we have built with dedication and meticulous planning, we have shaped the new face of Hatay. We are erasing the traces of the century's disaster through the century's solidarity and determination, equipping Hatay with stronger transportation at every step.
24/7 Work at Habibi Neccar Interchange
Providing information about the works at the Antakya Ring Road Habibi Neccar Interchange, Uraloğlu stated:
'Rising like a feat of engineering with a length of 237 meters, 8 massive piers, and 7 spans, this interchange links the roads between Reyhanlı, Altınözü, and Samandağ, opening the doors to uninterrupted and safe transportation. Combining the productivity of the day with the light of the night, we are working tirelessly 24/7 for Hatay. Our goal is to deliver this project to the public by January 31, 2026.'
Finally, visiting the Defne Earthquake Housing Roads construction site, Minister Uraloğlu added:
'In the Orhanlı Region permanent housing areas, we are consolidating the foundations of new life with robust transportation axes. With a major investment of 2.571 billion lira, we have completed 7.6 kilometers of development roads, 4.3 kilometers of access roads, and our grade-separated interchange, which combines engineering with aesthetic design. From now on, our housing areas are not only connected to main roads, but are also embraced with safety and comfort.
