YEŞİLKENT JUNCTİON WİLL REDUCE CONGESTİON İN SAMSUN'S LOCAL TRAFFİC
The Yeşilkent Junction, which will respond a significant need in Samsun's urban and regional transportation, was inaugurated with a ceremony held on Saturday, January 10. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, officials from public institutions and organizations, company representatives, highway personnel, and citizens.
The Minister Uraloğlu stated that he was pleased to pay his first provincial visit of 2026 to Samsun, noting that following the inauguration of the Yeşilkent Junction, which will reduce urban traffic flow, he will attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Samsun Western Ring Road Project.
Thanks to The Junction, an annual reduction of 2,700 tons of carbon emissions is expected
Pointing out that Samsun's strong economic structure and population density have made it an indispensable hub for both regional transportation and the east-west and north-south transit corridors, Uraloğlu stated that, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's vision that “Roads are civilization," they continue to work tirelessly around the clock to further enhance Samsun's potential.
Emphasizing that over the past 24 years, more than 91 billion lira have been invested in Samsun's transportation and communication infrastructure, Uraloğlu shared the following information:
'In 2002, the length of divided road was 120 kilometers, and we have increased it to 321 kilometers. Meanwhile, we expanded our bituminous hot mix pavement network from 119 kilometers to 396 kilometers, making roads safer and more comfortable. By connecting Samsun to Sinop and Sarp via divided road, we ensured the continuity of the Black Sea Coastal Road. By linking Amasya, Çorum, and Ankara with divided road, we have established comfortable and secure access from Samsun to the entire Central Anatolia Region.
The construction of ten highway projects, including the Samsun City Hospital Road, Havza-Vezirköprü Road, Çarşamba-Salıpazarı Connection Road, and Ladik-Taşova Road, continues. Among these projects, we are particularly pleased to inaugurate the Yeşilkent Junction, one of the most significant projects, which will make stronger Samsun's transportation infrastructure and provide to ease the city's inner traffic.
He noted that the Yeşilkent Junction, strategically located in the Ankara-Istanbul connection of the Central and Eastern Black Sea region and became a critical transportation hub between Samsun's Atakum and İlkadım districts, has become one of the most heavily trafficked points with an average daily volume of nearly 50,000 vehicles. He stated:
“To reduce traffic congestion and provide faster, more comfortable, and uninterrupted transportation, we have redeveloped the Yeşilkent Junction to modern standards, including 9 kilometers of bituminous hot mix pavement across its interchange ramps. As part of the project, we constructed two underpass bridges each 172 meters long, two additional bridges each 318 meters long, and a 29-meter-long overpass bridge. This has ensured seamless, rapid, and comfortable traffic flow along this route."
“In addition to easing transportation between Atakum and Ilkadım districts, we have also raised the standard of transit traffic from the Eastern Black Sea region to central hubs such as Ankara and Istanbul, improved traffic safety, and minimized accidents. Thanks to the Yeşilkent Junction, we will achieve an annual total saving of 645 million lira ,600 million in time and 45 million in fuel. Furthermore, by cutting carbon emissions up to 2,700 tons per year, we will contribute to the protection of Samsun's unique natural environment."
Increase driving safety and traffic flow control through investment
Speaking at the ceremony, Gülşen highlighted that Samsun, representing the production, trade, and logistics strength of the Black Sea region, occupies a central role in regional mobility by means of its port, industrial infrastructure, fertile agricultural lands, and transportation connections. He noted that the city connects the Eastern and Western Black Sea regions and serves as a key transit point southwards, linking to Ankara and the central regions of the country.
Gülşen stated, “This intense mobility occasionally leads to an increase in traffic load, particularly on the main arteries close to the city center. He added, “In this context, the existing Yeşilkent Junction has been upgraded through additional connecting roads and structural improvements. Within the 9-kilometer junction system, there are two underpass bridges, two additional bridges, and an overpass bridge, providing safe and comfortable transportation with bituminous hot mix pavement standards."
Gülşen emphasized that, with the implemented improvements, traffic flow has become more controlled and uninterrupted. He noted that the investment has reduced waiting times at junctions and significantly enhanced driving safety.
