Türkiye is pursuing an ambitious high-speed rail expansion strategy that aims to enable travel across the entire country within 48 hours by 2053, according to Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The long-term plan envisions more than doubling the country’s existing rail network over the coming three decades while significantly increasing access to high-speed train services nationwide.
Under the roadmap, the number of provinces directly served by high-speed train lines will increase from 11 to 27 by 2028, with complete nationwide connectivity expected by the middle of the century.
The minister emphasized that transportation infrastructure is closely tied to economic progress, stating that trade, production and sustainable growth depend on strong transport networks. He also described transport investments as more than physical infrastructure projects, saying they represent strategic initiatives that support exports, employment and regional development. The planned high-speed rail expansion forms a central part of this broader infrastructure strategy.
Rail Network Growth Continues Alongside Major Construction Projects
Uraloglu said Türkiye’s rail network has expanded from approximately 11,000 kilometers in 2002 to nearly 14,009 kilometers currently, including 2,251 kilometers of high-speed rail lines. Over the past 24 years, the country has invested 355 billion dollars in transport and infrastructure, developing divided highways, motorways, ports, airports and logistics centers while continuing to expand its rail system.
According to the minister, investment in rail has not only strengthened connectivity but has also reshaped urban life and contributed to wider economic activity. Alongside constructing new rail corridors, the government has modernized 11,000 kilometers of existing railway track.
Several major rail projects are currently under construction as part of the ongoing high-speed rail expansion. These include the Halkali-Kapikule, Ankara-Izmir, Bandirma-Bursa-Yenisehir-Osmaneli and Mersin-Adana-Osmaniye-Gaziantep corridors. Construction is also progressing on the Kars-Igdir-Aralik-Dilucu railway, which is expected to strengthen rail connectivity between Türkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In addition, a separate rail connection across the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge will provide an alternative crossing of the Istanbul strait alongside the existing Marmaray tunnel. Uraloglu said construction on the project is expected to begin this year after completion of the tender process.
Freight Infrastructure and Logistics Network Set for Further Growth
Looking beyond passenger services, Uraloglu outlined plans to strengthen freight infrastructure over the coming years. Türkiye currently operates 286 branch lines covering a combined 439 kilometers, with that figure projected to increase to 608 kilometers by 2028. During the same period, the number of logistics centers is expected to grow from 13 to 25.
The minister said the national rail network is targeted to expand to 17,287 kilometers by 2028 before reaching 28,590 kilometers by 2053. Construction work is already underway on 4,164 kilometers of railway.
Reflecting on the country’s long-term approach, Uraloglu said that since 2002, rail development has been treated as an explicit instrument of state policy. He credited that sustained commitment with reshaping Türkiye’s transport landscape over the past two decades, while the continued high-speed rail expansion is intended to support the country’s long-term transport objectives through 2053.
