ISPARTA'S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IS STRENGTHENING: TWO IMPORTANT PROJECTS WERE PUT INTO SERVICE
The Orhan Burak Büyükçaylı Interchange and Dörtyol-Şarkikaraağaç Road were opened to traffic at a ceremony in Isparta. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen and many guests attended the ceremony.
Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that over the last 24 years, more than 35 billion Lira have been invested in Isparta's transport and communication infrastructure. The length of divided road has increased from 92 kilometers to 234 kilometers. Previously, there were no hot-mix asphalt roads, but 481 kilometers of such roads have been constructed, enabling safe and comfortable travel for local residents. He shared the information that “numerous significant projects completed, including Isparta Miryokefalon Interchange with Keçiborlu-Burdur, Keçiborlu-Dinar, Isparta-Barla-Şuhut, Isparta-Atabey-Gönen, Isparta-Eğirdir, Ağlasun-Isparta-Keçiborlu and Aksu Roads."
Uraloğlu stated that ongoing projects, such as the Çünür New Bus Terminal Interchange and connecting roads, the Isparta–Burdur Road, and the Eğirdir–Gelendost–Şarkikaraağaç Road, are further strengthening Isparta's connectivity.
Annual Savings of 100 Million Lira with the Orhan Büyükçaylı Interchange
Providing information about the Orhan Büyükçaylı Interchange at the Çünür Neighborhood and New Bus Terminal connection, Uraloğlu went on to say:
“The interchange, which previously functioned with refuge lanes, was transformed into a interchange by constructing earth embankments 360 meters long on both sides of the bridge approaches, with a bridge length of 180 meters and a platform width of 32 meters. This improvement ensured uninterrupted traffic flow on the Isparta–Afyon State Road, significantly reducing congestion and delays caused by increased traffic. The project largely eliminated waiting times at the interchange and stop-and-go related time losses. We will achieve annual savings of 100 million Lira, comprising 83 million Lira in time and 17 million Lira in fuel costs. Thanks to the improved traffic flow, we will reduce carbon emissions by 846 tons annually, contributing to environmental protection and our climate-friendly transport goals."
Dörtyol–Şarkikaraağaç Road Strengthens Key Route Connecting the Mediterranean to Central Anatolia
Uraloğlu stated that, on the 22-kilometer-long Dörtyol–Şarkikaraağaç Road on the Isparta–Konya State Road, they have converted the existing asphalt-surfaced divided road into a hot-mix asphalt pavement, enhancing travel comfort, and carried out improvements at various points along the route.
Uraloğlu included the following statements in his remarks:
“With this project, we have strengthened an important transportation corridor connecting the Mediterranean region to Central Anatolia. We have provided a safer and more comfortable connection between the district of Şarkikaraaç and the provincial center. We will achieve annual savings of approximately 76 million Lira, including 45.2 million Lira in time and 30.5 million Lira in fuel costs. Thanks to smoother traffic flow, we will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1,500 tons annually, contributing to environmental sustainability and our climate-friendly transport goals."
Two Projects Achieve Annual Savings of 176 Million Lira
Referring to the two projects they inaugurated, Uraloğlu stated that Isparta's transport infrastructure has been fully modernized to meet contemporary needs, and included the following remarks in his statement:
“We have given a strong impetus to the region's economic and social development efforts. Through these projects, we have achieved annual savings of approximately 176 million Lira,128 million Lira in time and about 48 million Lira in fuel costs, while reducing carbon emissions by 2,300 tons. In doing so, we have left a more livable and greener Isparta legacy for future generations. This road and interchange are not just a transportation project; they represent a development initiative that transforms Isparta's rose fragrance, agricultural abundance, educational and tourism potential into contributions to Türkiye's overall development, while honoring the memory of our martyrs. Rest assured, as a Ministry, we will continue to implement projects that meet Isparta's needs within the framework of our 'Century of Türkiye's vision."
The Project will Faciliate the Access of Agricultural Products to Markets and Boost Commercial Activity in the Region
Speaking at the ceremony, Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen stated that Isparta holds an important position in the country's transportation network with its fertile lands and strong production potential, he reported that they continue to implement major highway investments to strengthen the city's urban transportation as well as its connections with districts and surrounding settlements.
Gülşen stated that, with the construction of the Orhan Burak Büyükçaylı Interchange at the Çünür Neighborhood and New Bus Terminal connection on the Isparta–Afyon State Road, uninterrupted traffic flow has been ensured on this section of the highway, and faster and safer access to the state road has been provided from Çünür Neighborhood and the new bus terminal.
Gülşen stated that they commemorated all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, especially Orhan Burak Büyükçaylı, after whom the interchange is named, and noted that another investment put into service today is the Dörtyol–Şarkikaraağaç Road.
Gülşen stated that the 22-kilometer section of the Isparta–Konya State Road has been upgraded to a bituminous hot-mix asphalt divided road standard and that various improvements have been carried out along the route, noting that with the enhancement of the road, transportation for local residents will become safer and more comfortable, access of agricultural production to markets will be facilitated, and commercial activity in the region will increase.
