Transport Minister Announces High-Speed Rail Extension to Erzurum, Erzincan and Kars

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Turkey's high-speed railway, currently reaching Sivas, will be expanded to cover Erzincan, Erzurum and Kars. He made the remarks at a programme held in Erzurum.

Uraloğlu said Turkey already has a 14,300-kilometre railway network, while construction work continues on approximately 4,850 kilometres of new lines. He described the investments as a valuable and strategic step relative to the existing network.

The minister described the Erzincan-Erzurum-Kars project as part of a major corridor running from Central Asia and Turkistan through Turkey to London. He stated that the work would proceed regardless of local opinion, though he welcomed public support.

The project will be carried out in two stages. First, the existing line will be electrified and equipped with signalling. Afterwards, a double-track high-speed railway will be built to serve Erzurum, Erzincan and Kars.

Uraloğlu also said his ministry is conducting joint consultations with Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality on an urban rail system for the city. He added that the project would be delivered to residents at the right time and under suitable conditions.

Source 2 noted that no start or completion date has been set for the modernisation or the double-track construction. It also said details such as whether Erzurum's existing station will be used, the impact on Eastern Express services and the project budget remain unanswered.