Transport Minister Uraloglu announces 4.5-kilometer metro line expansion in Istanbul

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced plans for a new 4.5-kilometer metro line in Istanbul that will extend the Altunizade–Camlica–Bosna Bulvari line to Umraniye Spor Koyu.

The expansion will include four new stations and aims to improve metro accessibility across key districts in the city.

New metro extension to serve key Umraniye neighborhoods

The extension, officially approved and published in the Official Gazette, will include Yavuzturk, Kazim Karabekir, Topagaci, and Umraniye Spor Koyu stations.

“With this new project, we will ensure uninterrupted metro access from Altunizade to Umraniye Spor Koyu,” Uraloglu said during a program organized by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Umraniye District Branch.

With the addition of this 4.5-kilometer segment, the total length of rail lines built by the Ministry in Istanbul will reach 188.3 kilometers.

The current project brings the total construction length of active metro works to 26.5 kilometers.

Rail projects central to urban mobility strategy

Uraloglu emphasized that urban rail systems are the most effective solution to Istanbul’s traffic congestion. “We have completed and opened 161.8 kilometers of metro lines so far,” he stated, listing major lines such as the Gayrettepe–Istanbul Airport Metro, Sirkeci–Kazlicesme Rail System, and Pendik–Sabiha Gokcen Airport Metro.

Construction is also ongoing for 22 kilometers of metro routes, including the Halkali–Istanbul Airport line and the Altunizade–Camlica Mosque–Bosna Bulvari route.

Broader transport and infrastructure investments in Istanbul

The announcement comes as part of Türkiye’s broader infrastructure development. Since 2002, the government has expanded Istanbul’s divided highway length from 350 kilometers to 795 kilometers.

Highlighting major achievements, Uraloglu referenced projects such as Marmaray, Avrasya Tunnel, Istanbul Airport, and the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge.

Uraloglu also confirmed continued work on the final segment of the Northern Marmara Motorway, the Nakkas–Basaksehir section, which will relieve congestion on the TEM Motorway and improve access to key facilities such as Basaksehir Cam Sakura Hospital and the Olympic Stadium.

Tunnel project to cut travel time from 35 to 5 minutes

The ministry is progressing with the Sariyer–Kilyos Tunnel and Connector Road Project, part of the Northern Marmara Motorway system. Once completed, the project will reduce travel time from 35 minutes to just 5 minutes.

Future expansion and metro needs

Minister Uraloglu stated that Istanbul requires 1,004 kilometers of metro lines to meet future demand. With current infrastructure at 362 kilometers and ongoing ministry projects pushing the total to 388.5 kilometers, over 600 kilometers of additional lines will be needed.

“We are not just building roads and tunnels; we are paving the way for the dreams of Istanbulites,” he said, highlighting the social impact of urban rail projects.