76TH REGIONAL DIRECTORS MEETING OF HIGHWAYS COMMENCES
The 76th Regional Directors Meeting, held annually on a regular basis, commenced with a ceremony held on Monday, 6 April, at the Halil Rıfat Paşa Conference Hall of the General Directorate of Highways. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen, Deputy Ministers, members of parliament, bureaucrats, union officials, private sector representatives and highway personnel.
“Roads are one of the most Instruments of Civilization that Shape a Nation's Future"
Beginning his speech by expressing his satisfaction that Türkiye's divided road network, which was only 6,101 kilometers in 2002, has expanded to 30,051 kilometers, Minister Uraloğlu stated that attending the Regional Directors Meeting of the Highways Organization an institution that has been serving continuously for 34 years at a time when the divided road network has surpassed the 30,000-kilometer threshold makes the occasion even more meaningful and a source of greater pride.
Emphasizing that these meetings are important for evaluating the past, developing a vision for the future, sharing ongoing projects and activities, and providing the necessary motivation and energy, Uraloğlu said: “Roads are one of the most fundamental instruments of civilization that shape a nation's future. In this context, guided by the vision of our President, 'Road is civilization,' we have undertaken it as our duty to serve our nation and country without regard to winter or adverse conditions, crossing seas, mountains, and plains. We have made every region of Türkiye accessible by equipping the country with roads, bridges, viaducts, and tunnels."
Reminding that while only 6 provinces were once connected by divided road, today as many as 77 provinces are interconnected, Uraloğlu said: “We have increased the length of bridges and viaducts from 311 kilometers to 821 kilometers, and tunnel length from 50 kilometers to 856 kilometers. Just last year alone, we constructed 57 kilometers of tunnels. We also built 69 kilometers of roads within the Yusufeli Dam and relocation projects, of which 56 kilometers consist of tunnels and 4 kilometers of viaducts. Today, although our divided road account for 44 percent of the total road network, they serve 83 percent of all traffic across the network. Through our divided road investments, we have not only improved traffic safety, travel speed, and comfort, but also achieved a significant reduction in fatal traffic accidents. We have reduced the number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle-kilometers by 81 percent."
“Divided roads are a strong infrastructure investment"
Uraloğlu stated that, thanks to divided roads, annual savings in time and fuel have generated a total economic benefit of TRY 405 billion. Within the scope of highway targets, he shared that the aim is to increase the length of divided road first to 31,250 kilometers and subsequently to over 38,000 kilometers, and to expand the highway network to 4,330 kilometers in the initial phase.
Emphasizing that they have largely achieved their targets through projects befitting the century of Türkiye vision, Uraloğlu touched upon last year's projects as follows: “Only in 2025, we completed major highway projects such as the Aydın–Denizli Motorway; the Antalya Korkuteli–Elmalı Road; the Elazığ–Harput Road; the Pazarkule–Edirne–TEM Connection Road; the Batman–Hasankeyf Road; the Bolu Göynük Ring Road; the Bursa Doğancı Tunnel; the Pertek–Tunceli, Çemişgezek–Hozat and Pertek–Hozat Roads; the Kaman–Savcılı–Kırşehir Provincial Road; and the Burdur–Tefenni–Çavdır Road. We have also commenced construction works on the Antalya–Alanya and Ankara–Kırıkkale–Delice Motorways."
A New Era in Transportation
Emphasizing that integration is placed at the core of future transportation systems, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that they have developed policies that will carry Türkiye further forward through Intelligent Transportation Systems and have ushered in a new era in transportation. In this context, he noted that the Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS) Test and Implementation has been put into operation along a 40-kilometer corridor between Hasdal Interchange and Istanbul Airport, adding that the next phase will be carried out at a more advanced level on the Ankara Ring Motorway.
Adding that they continuously strive to closely monitor and implement,where feasible,the future of road safety, climate change, sustainable transportation, and emerging mobility trends, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that, in order to further strengthen this vision, they are also resolutely pursuing international strategic initiatives such as the Middle Corridor, the Development Road, the Zangezur Corridor, and the Three Seas Initiative.
“Every effort you make in service of our nation is invaluable, beyond measure and beyond any title"
Abdulkadir Uraloğlu underlined that they will continue to construct roads, tunnels, bridges, and viaducts wherever needed, from east to west and north to South, while raising standards through divided roads and strengthening the road network with motorways.
He added, “While planning our new investments, we will ensure that they reinforce and complement our existing infrastructure. We will not compromise on quality under any circumstances in our works. I believe that, through common sense, sincere consultation, and strong teamwork, we will achieve far greater successes together," thereby expressing his expectations regarding the meeting and future investments.
“We directly touch the lives of our citizens."
At the ceremony, Ahmet Gülşen stated that throughout 76 years, each road project they have implemented has contributed to the life of the country and its citizens. He said, “Every ton of asphalt we lay and every engineering structure we build directly touches the lives of our citizens, saving time, enhancing safety, and generating value that supports economic mobility. Located in a highly valuable and strategic geography, it is of critical importance for our country to have a well-developed highway infrastructure in order to make the best use of this position."
Ahmet Gülşen emphasized that the most significant transformation, in qualitative terms, has been achieved within the road network, which has expanded to 68,500 kilometers. He stated, “In particular, with the divided road mobilization, our transport infrastructure has undergone a remarkable leap forward; safe, fast, and comfortable transportation has become the standard across all regions of our country. With the increasing length of motorways, a continuous highway backbone has been established stretching from our European border through the Marmara region to the Western Black Sea, from Central Anatolia to the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as to the Southeast and the Aegean; and our divided road network has exceeded 30,000 kilometers."
Overcoming Geographical Barriers Through Ongoing Efforts
Ahmet Gülşen noted that geographical barriers have been largely eliminated through the construction of bridges and tunnels. He stated that the impact of seasonal conditions on transportation has been minimized, and with the bituminous hot mix (BHM) paved road network approaching 33,000 kilometers, driving comfort and road quality have been enhanced across every region of the country.
Referring to investments made since the beginning of 2025, Gülşen continued his remarks as follows:
“Since the beginning of 2025, 321 km of divided road have been constructed. During the same period, the construction and rehabilitation of 1,760 km of bituminous hot mix (BHM) surfaced roads have been completed, and comprehensive maintenance and renewal works have been carried out on 376 km of single lane sections. In the field of engineering structures, an intensive production process has also been undertaken; 36 tunnels with a total length of 66.3 km and 192 bridges with a total length of 23.2 km have been completed and incorporated into the transport infrastructure, while 23 historical bridges have been restored. Within the scope of our traffic safety measures, 36.5 million square meters of horizontal and vertical signage, 2,624 km of guardrails, 102 km of motorcyclist-friendly barriers, and 336 km of rumble strips have been implemented. In addition, 51 million weight and dimension inspections have been conducted, and 29 accident black spots have been improved."
Referring also to highway operations carried out under winter conditions, Ahmet Gülşen stated that transportation continuity across the country has been ensured without interruption through efforts conducted at 457 snow combat centers, supported by 12,886 pieces of machinery and equipment and 13,607 personnel.
“We will continue to build, together, a system that offers our citizens safer, faster, and more comfortable transportation experiences."
Ahmet Gülşen noted that evolving and advancing technologies, along with digitalization, are increasingly influencing daily life and all sectors. He stated that, for the first time in Türkiye, Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems have reached the stage of being implemented in a fully integrated manner under real traffic conditions.
Ahmet Gülşen stated that investments in intelligent transportation systems will continue to be implemented decisively in the coming period. He said, “We will continue to build, together, a structure that makes more effective use of technology, strengthens data-driven decision-making processes, and provides our citizens with safer, faster, and more comfortable transportation experiences."
Ahmet Gülşen shared the 2026 targets of the General Directorate of Highways, stating:
“We aim to complete a total of 346 km of divided roads, including 52 km of motorways; the construction of 821 km of new bituminous hot mix (BHM) surfaced roads; the rehabilitation of 605 km of BHM roads; the upgrading of physical standards on 287 km of single lane roads; and the completion of 56.4 km of tunnels and 26.3 km of bridges."
