The strategically important New Zigana Tunnel, which connects Trabzon to Bayburt and Erzurum via Gümüşhane, continues to attract great interest from citizens since the day it was put into service. According to the latest statement by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the tunnel, which was opened on May 3, 2023 with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will be completed in total in the past two years. 3 million 490 thousand vehicles Minister Uraloğlu evaluated in detail the significant contributions and savings this huge project has made to regional transportation.
Zigana Tunnel Becomes Lifeline for Regional Transportation
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that the New Zigana Tunnel significantly facilitates transportation to important settlements, strategic ports, developing tourism centers and industrial zones on the Black Sea coast. With the opening of the tunnel, the current route will be It has shortened by 8 kilometers Uraloğlu stated that thanks to this, there has been a significant decrease in travel times. Travel times for cars 10 minutes While this period is decreasing, it is not fully extended for heavy tonnage commercial vehicles. 60 minutes Minister Uraloğlu stated that the transportation costs have been shortened significantly and that this situation creates a great advantage for both road users and the logistics sector.
Half a Billion Lira Savings and 15 Thousand Tons of Emission Reduction in Two Years
Minister Uraloğlu stated that the Zigana Tunnel not only saves time but also makes significant contributions to the country's economy, and added that in the two-year period in which the tunnel was put into service, a total of Savings of 501 million lira announced that this huge savings was achieved. 245 million liras from time savings, 256 million liras from fuel savings Uraloğlu, who stated that the project is due to its economic dimension, also drew attention to its environmental impacts. Thanks to the tunnel, in the same process, 15 thousand tons of emission reduction Minister Uraloğlu emphasized that this situation once again reveals the importance of environmentally friendly transportation projects.
The World's Third Longest Road Tunnel
The New Zigana Tunnel, which was opened on May 3, 2023, represents a significant engineering achievement not only for the region but also for Türkiye and Europe. Total With a length of 14,5 kilometers This gigantic structure, which is the world's third longest and Europe's and Türkiye's longest double-tube highway tunnel, provides uninterrupted and safe transportation by overcoming the difficult geography between Trabzon and Gümüşhane. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Uraloğlu emphasized once again that the Zigana Tunnel has a strategic importance in terms of regional transportation, and stated that the intense interest in the tunnel since its opening clearly demonstrates how necessary and beneficial the project is.
Travel Time Shortened, Records Broken
As Minister Uraloğlu stated in his statements before the opening, the Zigana Tunnel, together with the connecting roads, is 15,1 to kilometers draws attention with its reach. Thanks to the new route, 8 km shortening, has significantly eased the transportation which is frequently disrupted due to harsh weather conditions especially in winter months. Minister Uraloğlu stated that with the opening of the tunnel, travel time for cars will be reduced. 10 minutes, for heavy tonnage vehicles 60 minutes He reiterated that the number of passengers has decreased significantly, and added that this project has provided a significant transformation in the region in both economic and logistical terms. In addition to making the lives of the local people and drivers easier, the New Zigana Tunnel continues to make a modern and environmentally friendly contribution to Türkiye's transportation infrastructure.
