CONSTRUCTİON BEGİNS ON THE SAMSUN WESTERN RİNG ROAD
Construction works on the Samsun Western Ring Road, which will become one of the most important links of the strategic transit corridor connecting the Black Sea region with each other and with Central Anatolia, have officially started with a ceremony. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen and so many guests attended the ceremony.
Minister Uraloğlu, highlighting that Türkiye has been virtually rebuilt over the past 24 years through investments in road infrastructure and that the country has been equipped with high-standard roads across all regions, stated: "In 2002, divided road network, which was 6,101 kilometers long, was expanded to 30,049 kilometers. We expanded highway network from 1,714 kilometers to 3,796 kilometers. While only 6 provinces were connected by divided road at the time, today we have linked all 77 of our provinces with safe and comfortable roads."
The Minister stated that in 2025, 308 kilometers of divided road, 17 kilometers of bridges and viaducts, and 57 kilometers of tunnels were constructed, and added that this year they plan to build 280 kilometers of divided road and 735 kilometers of asphalt pavement.
Emphasizing that by the end of 2026 the length of divided road will exceed 30,300 kilometers and the length of asphalt-paved roads will surpass 33,500 kilometers, The minister noted that these investments will accelerate industrial production, ensure faster delivery of agricultural products to markets, and boost tourism activities.
91 Billion Lira Invested in Samsun's Transportation and Communication Infrastructure Over the Last 24 Years
Minister Uraloğlu, underlining that Samsun, as the northern gateway of the Black Sea, ranks among Türkiye's most strategic trade and production hubs with its port, modern logistics centers, organized industrial zones, and free trade zone, and added;
“This dynamic economic structure, combined with the rapidly growing population and industrial activity, has made Samsun a key transit point for both regional and international traffic. With its strong production capacity and steadily increasing exports, our city has become an indispensable logistics hub for the Central and Eastern Black Sea regions through its road, sea, air, and rail connections. We continue to work day and night to further strengthen Samsun's potential."
The Minister, expressing his happiness and pride in laying the foundation of the Samsun Western Ring Road, one of the largest projects to improve Samsun's transportation infrastructure, highlighted that, due to the city's rapidly growing socio-economic structure and increasing traffic density, urban arteries, particularly along the western axis, struggle to carry heavy loads.
Carbon emissions will decrease by 20,472 tons
Uraloğlu explained that transit traffic complicates both daily life and slows down the logistics flow and added:
“Therefore, we carry out the Samsun Western Ring Road. When it is completed, it will render faster and uninterrupted both ragional logistic flow and ease local transportation as well as providing high-standard connection to Western Black Sea, Marmara Region and Istanbul with the diversion of transit traffic from the city center, traffic safety will increase and the quality of urban life will be enhanced. Economic activity will increase along the project route with the development of commercial, service, and logistics areas, and employment will be supported both during the construction process and after its completion.
With alternative corridors, evacuation facilities in emergencies and disasters will be improved. Access to employment, education, and healthcare services for our citizens will be facilitated. Also by strengthening integration with Black Sea Coastal Road and ports, organized industrial zones will contribute to regional trade and tourism. Once the construction of Samsun Western Ring Road is completed, the current route, which is 29.6 kilometers and takes 40 minutes to travel, will be shortened to 13.3 kilometers, allowing the journey to be completed in just 10 minutes. This way, we will achieve an annual total savings of 2.157 billion lira, including 1.815 billion from time savings and 342 million from fuel, while also reducing carbon emissions by 20,472 tons, thus protecting the unique nature of our city of Samsun."
General Director Gülşen: “We will contribute to creating a more livable urban environment."
Speaking at the ceremony, General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen stated that the Western Ring Road aims to separate urban and transit traffic, making transportation in Samsun smoother, safer, and more comfortable.
He explained that the Samsun Western Ring Road, with a total length of 16.3 kilometers, will be constructed as a six-lane divided road (three lanes in each direction) with asphalt concrete pavement. He added that the project will include two twin-tube tunnels, three viaducts, and six bridge crossing.
He further emphasized that the project will significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city center, enhance traffic safety, and contribute to a more habitable urban environment by mitigating environmental impacts.
