Türkiye has inaugurated a significant section of its high-speed rail network, enhancing its connectivity with Europe. The newly opened 153-kilometer stretch links Çerkezköy, located west of Istanbul, to Kapıkule on the Bulgarian border. This extension forms the longest segment of the 229-kilometer Halkalı-Kapıkule railway line, which starts on Istanbul’s western outskirts.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, along with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, attended the opening ceremony in Kırklareli province. Erdoğan emphasized that this development will bolster Türkiye’s transport infrastructure, facilitate access to European markets, and promote the country’s export goals. The project is anticipated to stimulate production, employment, trade, and tourism.
The new rail line integrates the provinces of Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, and Edirne into Türkiye’s high-speed network, now serving a total of 14 provinces. It also includes new station buildings in Babaeski, Lüleburgaz, and Büyükkarıştıran, and renovations at the Kapıkule and Edirne stations.
This double-track railway is designed for speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, reducing passenger travel time between Halkalı and Kapıkule from four hours to about 1.5 hours. Freight transit times are expected to decrease from 8.5 hours to 3.5 hours, with annual passenger capacity projected to rise from 600,000 to approximately three million, and freight capacity from 1.5 million to 9.5 million tonnes.
Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, highlighted the railway’s role in strengthening trade links between Türkiye and the European Union. Jointly financed by Türkiye and the EU, the project is part of the Trans-European Transport Network and aims to support the Middle Corridor, a trade route connecting Asia and Europe through Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Türkiye.
Looking ahead, Türkiye plans to further expand its railway network. Currently at 13,919 kilometers, with 7,274 kilometers electrified, the country aims to reach a total of 28,590 kilometers by 2053. This expansion is a strategic priority for enhancing logistics, international trade, and connections between Europe and Asia.