Istanbul Northern Railway Crossing Project

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has reached a historic milestone in the Istanbul Northern Railway Crossing Project, one of Turkey's flagship investments aimed at reinforcing the city's strategic transportation network and international logistics standing. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that the major tender covering the design and construction of both infrastructure and superstructure works will take place on October 14. Following its official publication in the Official Gazette, the strategic route will originate from Gebze, passing through Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, and Istanbul Airport before extending to Çatalca. Integrated with the ongoing Halkalı-Çerkezköy High-Speed Railway Line at Çatalca, the mega project will also form a seamless rail connection with the Çayırova section of the Marmaray network.

 

The project features an extraordinary scope in terms of engineering and terrain conditions. Comprising a 122.3-kilometer double main line and 4.7 kilometers of single-track connection lines, the alignment encompasses 5 twin-tube TBM tunnels totaling 36.2 kilometers, 22 NATM tunnels extending 23.3 kilometers, 17 cut-and-cover tunnels, 22.1 kilometers of viaducts, and 40 bridges. Upon completion, Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport will be directly linked by rail for the first time in history.

 

A preliminary agreement reached with six international financial institutions secures a $6.75 billion financing package, making this investment the largest externally funded railway project in Turkey's history. By enabling continuous 24/7 rail operations, the new line will significantly relieve traffic congestion on Marmaray and exponentially increase the freight capacity of the Middle Corridor, a critical trade artery between Asia and Europe. Upon full operational capacity, the project is projected to transport 33 million passengers and 30 million tons of freight annually.