Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu attended the 'Seeing the Light' ceremony at the Sünebeli Tunnel, which is under construction on the Refahiye-Kuruçay-İlic State Road in Erzincan, the hometown of the late Prime Minister and former Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Binali Yıldırım.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu drew attention to the importance of Sünebeli Tunnel and its contribution to the region. Uraloğlu said, “While the road transportation standard between the north and south of our country will be increased, product and cargo transfer from ports to inland areas, from important industrial centers to living spaces will be made in a shorter time, and the trade volume of the region will be increased. Moreover; It will also make a significant contribution to the tourism of the region, which stands out with its mountain sports, water sports and traditional architecture. "Loss of life and property will be prevented due to landslides and traffic accidents," he said.
Reminding that 21 billion dollars have been invested in transportation and communication infrastructure projects in Turkey in the last 194 years, Minister Uraloğlu said that 30 billion 200 million dollars have been invested in Erzincan so far. Uraloğlu noted the following regarding the investments made in Erzincan:
“We invested approximately 30 billion 200 million Liras for Erzincan's transportation and communication investments. We increased the length of divided roads from 14 kilometers to 355 kilometers, and the length of bituminous hot coating roads from 8 kilometers to 275 kilometers. Erzincan; We connected it to Erzurum, Gümüşhane and Sivas via divided roads. We made Erzincan the center of the Northern TETEK road, which connects Turkey from east to west. We crossed the impassable SANSA, called the road of death, via viaducts. "Our 6 separate highway projects, such as the Refahiye-Kuruçay-İliç Road, including the Sünebeli Tunnel, where we will hold the lighting ceremony, are continuing."
In his speech, Minister Uraloğlu touched upon the importance of Sünebeli Tunnel for the region and the country, in addition to improving the quality of transportation and increasing the safety of life and property with the Sünebeli Tunnel. Minister Uraloğlu said, “Refahiye-İlıç State Road, where the Sünebeli Tunnel is built; "It constitutes an important transition point on the north-south axis, which starts from the Black Sea coastline and provides access to the Southeast and the Eastern Mediterranean via Erzincan," he said.
Minister Uraloğlu also stated that with the works carried out in the Gümüşakar-Kuruçay section, the existing road was shortened by 3 km and the travel time was reduced from 35 minutes to 15 minutes.
The route, which reaches an altitude of 5 m in the 220-meter-long Sunebeli Pass, is being pulled down approximately 1.800-200 m, eliminating the problems experienced on the current route, especially in winter months. The 400 km long road ceases to be a nightmare for drivers and becomes a more comfortable, safe and economical transportation opportunity.
One hundred percent local and national resources are used in the construction, design and control of the Sünebeli Tunnel project, and it is built by Turkish engineers and workers.
SİVAS-ERZİNCAN FAST RAILWAY WORKS CONTINUE
Stating that they renewed the entire railway infrastructure of Erzincan, Minister Uraloğlu reminded that they also built the new railway connection of Erzincan Organized Industrial Zone. Stating that the construction works of Sivas-Erzincan High Speed Railway are continuing, Minister Uraloğlu said, “We are continuing the construction of the 242 kilometers long, 200 km per hour, electric, signaled and double-track high speed railway project in 2 stages. We achieved 50% physical progress in the first stage, the infrastructure works between Sivas and Zara, which is 44 kilometers long, and we completed the project works of the 192 kilometers long Zara-İmranlı-Kemah-Erzincan section. Seeing that the transportation and communication projects we carry out in line with our investment, production, employment and export-oriented growth strategy make our country more competitive in the international arena strengthens our hopes for the future. "In the 100th anniversary of our Republic, we will build a great and powerful Turkey on which the Turkish Century will rise," he said.
Last Prime Minister and former Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Binali Yıldırım, in his speech at the Sünebeli Tunnel Light Image ceremony in his hometown Erzincan, stated that the end was approaching and said, “Everyone knows how much life has been hurt. You constantly conveyed your demands to us so that the suffering would end. If we were to try to describe the work done during our rule, one day would not be enough. This road does not only connect Erzincan to Refahiye and Eğine. The main function of this road is one of the north-south axes connecting the Black Sea to the Southeast and the Middle East. Ibn Khaldun says: 'Geography is destiny.' Yes, we have come to these days not by finding our destiny by looking at the mountains, by looking at the valleys, or by wailing helplessly by the water, but by crossing the mountains into tunnels and overcoming all obstacles. "We will continue to serve under the leadership of our President," he said.