THE PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHENED HAKKARİ'S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK WERE OPENED TO TRAFFIC
The important highway investments that strengthened Hakkari's transportation infrastructure were opened to traffic at a ceremony. Opening of Yeniköprü Tunnel, Çığlı Bridge, Yüksekova Ring Road and Zap Group Bridges, was held with the participation of Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen.
Transportation and Communication Investments Exceeding 73 Billion Liras Over 24 Years
Emphasizing that more than 73 billion Turkish liras had been invested in Hakkari's transportation and communications infrastructure over the last 24 years, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that : “In 2002, Hakkari had only 1 kilometer of divided road. We increased this figure to 106 kilometers by constructing an additional 105 kilometers of divided roads. The province had no bituminous hot-mix asphalt (BSK) roads; we introduced safe and comfortable travel to the people of Hakkari through 190 kilometers of BSK-paved roads. We have completed major projects such as the Yeniköprü–Yüksekova Road, the Yüksekova–Dağlıca Road, the Yüksekova Interchange and Connection Roads, the Üzümcü–Durankaya–Geçitli Road, the Dotkan-1 and Dotkan-2 Bridges, the 1,029-meter-long Çukurca Tunnel, and the Çukurca Çığ and Kar Tunnels.
Safe and Uninterrupted Transportation on the Yeniköprü-Yüksekova Road
“As you know, the Yeniköprü–Yüksekova Road is one of the vital trade corridors between Türkiye and Iran," mentioned Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, and continued:
“Within this scope, we initiated works to upgrade the existing 12-meter-wide state highway along the route into a divided road with two lanes in each direction, ensuring that the route can be traversed at a high standard with the comfort of a divided road and tunnel. Today, we are opening the 3,965-meter-long Yeniköprü Tunnel and the 151-meter-long Çığlı Bridge on this 16.3-kilometer strategic corridor, which connects Yüksekova to the Van–Hakkari State Road. With the commissioning of these structures, a 5.1-kilometer section of the route has been brought into service. In the T-2 Tunnel, where excavation and support operations began in December 2023, we have recorded a total advance of 2,576 meters in the right and left tubes combined. In addition, 660 meters of final concrete lining has been completed. Hopefully, we will complete the works on this tunnel as well and put the entire route into service in 2028. Once the project is fully completed, we will eliminate the sharp curves on the Yeniköprü–Yüksekova Road as well as the road section that is highly vulnerable to flood damage. We will also address problems such as rockfalls from slopes with a high landslide potential. In this way, we will ensure the safety of life and property along the corridor. By ensuring the smooth flow of traffic to Yüksekova's industrial centers, we will contribute to faster and more reliable domestic road transportation and international trade. By improving the geometry of the existing route, we will shorten the 23.3-kilometer corridor by 7 kilometers and reduce travel time from 35 minutes to 10 minutes, saving 25 minutes per trip. As a result, we will achieve annual savings of 513 million Turkish liras, including 426 million liras from time savings and 87 million liras from fuel savings. We will also reduce carbon emissions from vehicles by 4,132 tons annually, thereby contributing to the preservation of our city's unique natural environment."
Inner-City Access was Strengtehend by the Ring Road and New Bridges
Uraloğlu noted that the Yüksekova Ring Road, inaugurated today, diverts transit traffic away from the city center, ease urban traffic congestion. “We have reduced the city crossing distance to 7.1 kilometers and shortened travel time from 12 minutes to 4 minutes. We rebuilt a historic renewal process for the Zap Group Bridges over the Zap River, which are integral to the city's transportation network, and reconstructed all of them to modern, high standards. We pulled down old bridges built between 1958-1981 years and replace them with quakeproof, modern, long-lasting bridges. As a part of project we put into service the 74-meter-long Zap-1 Bridge, the 46-meter-long Zap-2 Bridge, the 46-meter-long Zap-3 Bridge, the 78-meter-long Zap-4 Bridge, also known as the Depin Bridge, and the 68-meter-long Erziki Bridge. These Bridges are a strategic invesment that have strenghetend transportation safety in an earthquake-prone region. We ensured continutiy in transportation even in emergency cases. The logistics processes of our economic activities like agriculture, animal breeding and border trade will operate much more efficiently, commercial activity Hakkari's will gain momentum. I also have good news for you. We are also launching works to upgrade the section between Yeniköprü and Depin on the route extending from the Yeniköprü Junction to Hakkari city center to a bituminous hot-mix asphalt standard. Thus, we will upgrade the 30-kilometer section of the route, which currently serves as a surface-treated single carriageway, to a bituminous hot-mix asphalt (BSK) single carriageway standard. As a result, the entire 36-kilometer route, including the existing 6-kilometer BSK-paved divided road section, will be brought to a higher standard. By harnessing the economic momentum generated by these strategic projects that we have inaugurated, we are also ensuring that Cilo's glacial lakes, lush green plateaus, and pristine air are preserved as a valuable legacy for future generations. Guided by our Vision of the Century of Türkiye and our policies focused on investment, production, employment, and exports, we will continue to bring every corner of Hakkari in line with the requirements of the modern age. With our glorious flag waving over the peaks of Cilo and the songs of brotherhood echoing along the waters of the Zap River, this region will henceforth become a place of peace, prosperity, and hope for the future." Uraloğlu stated.
Referring to the road that was closed following the landslide, Uraloğlu stated that the works were completed within 22 days, saying: “Under the coordination of the Hakkari Governor's Office, we rebuilt those roads in just 22 days through the joint efforts of all our institutions, including the Ministry of National Defence, the General Directorate of Highways, our municipality, and the Special Provincial Administration. We constructed two panel bridges and put them into service. In fact, even considering such a solution might have taken months, or perhaps years. However, we acted immediately, made our decision without delay, and did not allow our citizens to suffer further inconvenience. For this reason, I would like to express my gratitude, in your presence, to everyone who contributed to this effort," he said.
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Hakkari's Highway Network Expanded with 6 Bridges, 1 Tunnel and a Ring Road
Director General of Highways Ahmet Gülşen stated that the 3,965-meter-long Yeniköprü Tunnel, one of the two major tunnels on the 16.3-kilometer Yeniköprü–Yüksekova Road, together with the 151-meter-long Çığlı Bridge located immediately after the tunnel, has been completed, while works on the remaining sections are continuing. Gülşen said, “Another one of our projects, the 7.1-kilometer Yüksekova Ring Road, has been constructed to divided road standards and has significantly eased urban traffic. The Zap Group Bridges, located on the Yeniköprü–Yüksekova Junction–Hakkari Road and serving as the only access route to Hakkari city center, have also been renewed and opened to the service of road users. The five bridges have a total length of 312 meters, while 7 kilometers of connecting roads have been constructed as a single carriageway. Thus, a total of six bridges, one tunnel, and a ring road project have been added to Hakkari's highway network. In addition, following the tender process carried out for the Yeniköprü–Depin section, we are upgrading this section to bituminous hot-mix asphalt (BSK) standard as well."
