Istanbul has officially confirmed the launch of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in recent years. A 120 km railway line will be constructed over the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, designed for both passenger and freight transport. This was officially announced in a written statement by Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.
The project is not only a transportation upgrade but also a systemic factor capable of reshaping the city’s and country’s logistics, investment, and economic landscape. The Minister emphasized that the project is part of the major initiatives "Development Road" and "Zangezur Corridor," aimed at strengthening Turkey’s trade, logistics, and political connections.
Uraloğlu noted that the railway will expand the limited capacity of existing routes and create the shortest and most cost-effective corridor for transporting goods from China and India via the Persian Gulf to Turkey and onward to Europe. The route utilizes FAW ports and the Ovakoy border checkpoint. Currently, products filtered through the Persian Gulf reach Europe via Turkey and Marmaray; the new line will allow uninterrupted 24/7 freight transport.
Route of the Line
Railway Gebze – Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge – Çatalca:
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Branch from the Marmaray line near Çayırova;
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Northern exit after Sabiha Gökçen Airport;
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Crossing the Bosphorus via the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge;
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Connection to Istanbul Airport;
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Integration with the Halkalı–Kapıkule line linking international transport corridors.
Technical Specifications
Implementation Timeline
Funding and 2026 Confirmation
In January 2026, the Turkish government officially allocated 261.5 billion TRY (~$6.05 billion) for railway infrastructure, including the line over Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. This confirms the high priority and feasibility of the project in the coming years. The tender for construction is scheduled for 2026, ensuring state-backed support.
Strategic Significance
The project will relieve the Marmaray line, which is currently operating at full capacity due to combined passenger and freight traffic. The new railway will allow transit freight to bypass city congestion.
It forms a new Asia–Europe logistics corridor integrated into major geo-economic initiatives. The line provides a direct and economically efficient route for goods from East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East to Europe.
The project connects Turkey’s two key aviation hubs — Sabiha Gökçen and Istanbul Airports — via a high-standard railway, a rare case even by European benchmarks.
Investment Effect
From a professional perspective, the project strengthens Istanbul’s role as a key Eurasian hub, enhances the strategic value of northern and western corridors, and forms a long-term growth driver for logistics, commercial, and warehouse real estate.
Historically, infrastructure projects of this scale begin to capitalize in land and property values long before completion, particularly along new transport axes.
From an investment perspective, the new railway line creates a growth axis primarily for logistics, commercial activity, and land assets. Value is generated first for land, then for commercial real estate, and only subsequently for residential properties, mainly for staff and rental apartments.