Türkiye has inaugurated a significant 153-kilometer section of its high-speed railway, linking Çerkezköy, located west of Istanbul, to Kapıkule on the Bulgarian border. This development extends the country’s rail network closer to the European Union, enhancing Türkiye’s connectivity with Europe. The new railway section is the longest part of the 229-kilometer Halkalı-Kapıkule line, which starts on the outskirts of Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, along with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, attended the opening ceremony in Kırklareli province.
President Erdoğan highlighted the railway’s potential to fortify Türkiye’s transport infrastructure, facilitate better access to European markets, and support the nation’s export goals. He emphasized that the project is expected to boost production, employment, trade, and tourism. The completion of this rail section integrates the provinces of Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, and Edirne into Türkiye’s high-speed rail network, expanding the total number of provinces served by high-speed rail to 14.
This newly opened section of railway, featuring electrified double tracks and advanced signaling systems, is designed for speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour. Passenger travel time between Halkalı and Kapıkule is anticipated to be reduced from four hours to approximately 1.5 hours, while freight transit times are expected to decrease from 8.5 hours to 3.5 hours. Additionally, annual passenger capacity could rise from 600,000 to around three million, and freight capacity is projected to increase from 1.5 million to 9.5 million tonnes.
Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, noted that the railway would enhance transport links between Türkiye and the European Union, supporting the Middle Corridor trade route connecting Asia and Europe. The 153-kilometer segment was co-financed by Türkiye and the EU, with Türkiye’s Transport Ministry handling the construction of the remaining 76 kilometers. This railway is part of the broader Trans-European Transport Network and is expected to improve connections between European markets and industrial centers in Istanbul, Kocaeli, Tekirdağ, and the Thrace region, as well as nearby ports.
Looking ahead, President Erdoğan announced plans for further expansion of Türkiye’s railway network, which currently spans 13,919 kilometers, including 7,274 kilometers of electrified lines. Construction is ongoing for an additional 4,858 kilometers, with the goal of expanding the total network to 28,590 kilometers by 2053. This investment in rail infrastructure is a key element of Türkiye’s long-term strategy to enhance logistics, strengthen international trade, and expand connections between Europe and Asia.