MALATYA RING ROAD SECOND PHASE IS OPENING TO TRAFFIC AT THE END OF AUGUST
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and Director General of Highways, Ahmet Gülşen, inspected the construction site of the Malatya Ring Road, which is currently under construction in Malatya. Following their inspection, Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that with the project awaited by the people of Malatya, they were turning another dream of the people of Malatya into reality.
"We constructed 341 kilometers of asphalt road in Malatya"
Uraloğlu emphasized that they have invested 76 billion 302 million Turkish lira in Malatya's transportation and communication infrastructure over the past 22 years, stating that they have increased the length of divided roads from 36 kilometers to 464 kilometers. He pointed out that in 2002, when there were no bituminous hot mix asphalt roads in Malatya, they constructed 341 kilometers of bituminous hot mix asphalt roads. "We have connected Malatya to Elazığ, Diyarbakır, and Adıyaman with divided roads. We have inaugurated the Erkenek Tunnel, known for its steep cliffs and icy conditions, along the Malatya-Gölbaşı Road. We have constructed the 660-meter-long Kömürhan Bridge and Connection Tunnel. We have completed significant road projects like the Tohma Bridge on the Malatya-Sivas Road. Currently, along with our ring road project uniting us in Malatya, we are continuing 10 separate road projects with an approximate project cost of 30 billion lira," he stated.
Phase 2 to open by end of August
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized the significant importance of the Malatya Ring Road project for the city's development and traffic safety, stating that it aims to reduce traffic congestion in the city center caused by heavy-tonnage vehicle traffic and transit passages. "The total length of our ring road, constructed as a bituminous hot mixed paved divided highway, is 53.5 kilometers. Within the scope of our project, we are building a total of 23 bridges, including 13 overpasses. We have completed 31.7 kilometers of the road, including 14 bridges spanning 1,561 meters, out of which 26.1 kilometers of the first section were opened to service on April 2, 2022," said Minister Uraloğlu. He added, "This year, we aim to complete an additional 6.5 kilometers of road and three bridges with a total length of 301.5 meters. Hopefully, by the end of August, we will complete this 6.5-kilometer section, thus finishing the 2nd section, which is 12.1 kilometers long, up to the Battalgazi Interchange. This will open a total of 38.2 kilometers of the road to traffic. Of course, we will accelerate the work for the remaining 15.3 kilometers as soon as possible."
"The city passage, currently taking 60 minutes, will be reduced to 25 minutes"
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that with the full service of the road, they aim to reduce the city passage time, which can reach up to 60 minutes during peak hours, to 25 minutes. "Thus, with this road, we will save a total of 631 million liras annually, including 352 million liras in time and 229 million liras in fuel costs. We will also contribute to environmental protection by reducing carbon emissions from polluting vehicles by 19,177 tons. Additionally, transportation to the Organized Industrial Zones and residential areas in the north of the city will be facilitated. Moreover, it will undoubtedly contribute to the development of tourism activities in Malatya and further stimulate commercial activities."
210 kilometers of roads to earthquake-affected provinces
Providing information about the ongoing works on the İkizce TOKİ Roads, another significant project in Malatya, Minister Uraloğlu stated, "As you know, last year on February 6th, we experienced one of the most devastating disasters in human history. The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş directly affected approximately 14 million people and deeply saddened us all. On this occasion, I once again extend my condolences to the families who lost their lives in the earthquakes. We are continuing our efforts diligently to advance our cities in the earthquake-affected areas. Through the General Directorate of Highways under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, we are carrying out construction works on a total of 210 kilometers of connecting and urban roads in 15 different sections in earthquake-affected provinces such as Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, and Malatya, providing access to 38,000 homes. In Malatya's İkizce district, we will construct roads, infrastructure works, and multi-level intersections totaling 46.3 kilometers in length, with a project cost of 3.8 billion Turkish liras, to provide access to 11,131 permanent housing units. As of today, we are continuing the works on a 21-kilometer section, having completed 5,300 meters. Within the project, we will establish a multi-level intersection where the connecting road intersects with the state highway. This intersection will also serve the Malatya Organized Industrial Zone located across from the earthquake housing. By May 31, 2024, at the end of this month, we aim to complete a 9.3-kilometer section, including infrastructure facilities such as drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and electricity."
