MUSABEYLI JUNCTION AND THE KILIS STATE ROAD WERE PUT INTO SERVICE
Musabeyli Junction and the Kilis State Road were put into service on Saturday, 7 March at a ceremony attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, together with representatives of public institutions and organizations, officials of the contractor companies carrying out the works, and members of the General Directorate of Highways staff. Speaking at the ceremony Minister Uraloğlu stated that Kilis, known as a city of tolerance and brotherhood, is one of the most important gateways to southern Anatolia thanks to its fertile lands, border Gates and strategic location.
We are taking Kilis's Potential to the Next Level
Stated that Kilis and the region are an indispensable stop on the trade routes extending from Anatolia to the Middle East, Minister Uraloğlu said that by implementing transportation infrastructure projects, they have been strengthening these ties while also elevating the city's economic, agricultural and tourism potential to a much higher level. Uraloğlu reported that within this scope, they have completed the 17.3-kilometre Musabeyli Junction and the Kilis State Road, thereby bringing another major transport project to Kilis.
Uraloğlu stated that highways constitute the backbone of the logistics system thanks to the flexibility they offer in passenger transportation, the possibility of direct travel without transfers, and the rapid movement of freight. He noted that, through investments made in highway infrastructure over the past 24 years, they have equipped the country with high-standard roads across all regions. He added that the length of divided road, which was only 6,101 kilometres, has been increased to 30,049 kilometres, and that while only six provinces were connected by divided road in the past, today 77 provinces are linked to one another through comfortable divided road networks. He also stated that they have established safe and comfortable transportation by constructing bridges and tunnels that overcome high mountains and deep valleys in challenging terrains.
Nearly 10 Billion Lira Transport Investment in Kilis
Stated that nearly 10 billion lira has been invested in Kilis's transportation and communication infrastructure over the past 24 years, Uraloğlu went on the say: 'We have increased the length of divided roads from 2 kilometres to 58 kilometres. Previously, there was no hot asphalt in Kilis, but we have now increased it to 69 kilometres, providing the province with comfortable traffic and transportation. We have also completed key projects, including the Tahtaköprü, Hasankeyf, Sabuncu, and Delice bridges, as well as the Kilis Ring Road, Kilis Öncüpınar Road, Kilis–Akbez Junction–Polateli Road, Kilis–Hassa Road, Gaziantep–Kilis Road, and the access roads to earthquake housing areas in the Deveciler and Tahtalı regions. He stated that, particularly in the post-6 February earthquake reconstruction process, they are opening the 8-kilometre-long Tahta Road along with interchange, which provides safe and comfortable access from the city center to 2,340 housing units built by TOKİ in the Deveciler and Tahtalı areas. He added that construction work is currently ongoing on the Kilis–Elbeyli–Syria Border Road and the Musabeyli–Nurdağı Road.
Strengthening Connection in the Region with Divided Road Standard
Uraloğlu stated that with the completion of the project, the Musabeyli Junction and Kilis Road, which previously operated as a single lane with a surface-treated road, has been fully converted into a divided road with bituminous hot-mix asphalt. He added that this upgrade ensures that the expected increase in traffic flow between the cement factory along the route and the under-construction Polateli Organized Industrial Zone will be fast, safe, and comfortable.
Uraloğlu stated that the project has shortened travel times, resulting in savings of 121 million Lira,72 million from time and 49 million from fuel, and that it also contributes to the protection of nature and agriculture by reducing carbon emissions from polluting vehicles by 2,408 tons.
Commenting on the remaining sections of the 60.3-kilometer road, one of the significant investments in the region stretching from Kilis to the Nurdağı-Hassa junction, Uraloğlu stated, “We have initiated the project works that will connect the Amanos Mountains to the Dörtyol-Hassa Tunnel. We will connect the route to İskenderun Port via the divided road and tunnels. This will facilitate faster delivery of products to markets, boost our local traders' commerce, support the growth of our industry, and contribute to the revival of tourism."
Stating that “With the Turkey Century vision, we continue to pursue investment, production, and export-oriented growth strategies with determination" Uraloğlu noted that they have been implementing projects consecutively to meet the region's needs.
Region's Transportation Standard and Safety has been Improved
Speaking at the ceremony, General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen provided the following information about the project: “The Musabeyli Junction and the Kilis State Road, which we implemented within the scope of efforts to establish a strong transportation infrastructure that will help revitalize Kilis, has been completed as a 17.3-kilometer divided road with bituminous hot-mix asphalt pavement. Within the scope of the project, the Afrin Bridge as well as the Dümbüllü and Beşenli interchanges were constructed, significantly improving the route's traffic safety and capacity."
Gülşen emphasized that the Musabeyli Junctionand the Kilis State Road has significantly improved the region's transportation quality with its infrastructure built to modern standards and geometric design features that ensure high driving safety.
Stating that the investments of the General Directorate of Highways support the productive capacity of cities, Gülşen noted that efforts aimed at accelerating regional development and ensuring safe transportation are being carried out within this framework.
