The North Marmara Highway is one of the most famous highways in Turkey and a significant indicator of the country's economic strength and infrastructure development. This is especially crucial for a country like Turkey, which spans two continents and holds a strategic location.

Discover more with Skyline Real Estate about the key information regarding this highway, including its location, length, features, and other vital details. Additionally, we will highlight other major highways in Turkey that are equally important.

We hope you find this article both informative and beneficial.

Overview of the North Marmara Highway

Construction of the 398.4-kilometer-long North Marmara Highway began in 2013. The highway spans three of Turkey's most important provinces: Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Sakarya. It starts from the Kınalı area in western Istanbul, passes through Kocaeli and Sakarya, and ends near the Akyazı region in Sakarya.

Phases of Construction

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in Turkey used 12.4 million tons of hot asphalt, 18.8 million tons of cold mix, and 11.5 million cubic meters of concrete for the entire project.

Designed as a circular road with four sections, the project includes some of the largest highway tunnels in the world. Over the approximately eight years of construction, 17,000 people were employed at the peak period, with 8,700 workers continuing across various levels.

The completed highway includes 3 tunnels, 14 overpasses and underpasses, 96 bridges, and 118 channels in the "Kınalı-Odayeri" section. The "Kurtköy-Akyazı" section consists of 5 tunnels, 16 overpasses and underpasses, 192 bridges, and 431 channels. The "Odayeri-Paşaköy" section features 10 tunnels totaling over 35,000 meters, 69 bridges spanning more than 56,000 meters, 409 bridges, 818 channels, 39 overpasses, and 269 wells.

Main Features of the North Marmara Highway

The significance of highways lies in connecting different city areas and linking cities within a country and beyond. The North Marmara Highway excels in this and offers several other notable features:

• Integrated Design: The highway is designed as an integrated system with auxiliary roads, bridges, and tunnels, allowing easy access from all points in Istanbul and the Marmara region.
• Improved Access: It facilitates easy access to Istanbul from neighboring provinces and reduces the burden on the existing road network.
• Key Route for Istanbul Airport: The highway serves as a crucial route to Istanbul's third airport, one of the world's largest, and provides direct access to major industrial areas in Istanbul and Kocaeli.
• Multi-modal Transport: It integrates road and rail transport with the Sultan Selim Bridge, designed for high-speed trains and freight trains.
• Advanced Monitoring: Equipped with high-tech intelligent transportation systems, the highway can be monitored round-the-clock, ensuring quick intervention in case of accidents.
• National and International Transport: The highway offers a safe and comfortable passage for national and international road transport, making travel between Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Sakarya easier.
• Economic Boost: The highway is expected to enhance Turkey's economy by fostering new investments, business opportunities, and commercial activities.
• Regional Economic Development: The road facilitates the movement of goods to surrounding areas, boosting regional economic development through its connections with organized industrial zones and densely populated areas.
• Future Expansion: The highway is set to become a key component of a highway ring around the Marmara region, eventually connecting with the "Kınalı, Tekirdağ, Çanakkale, Savaştepe" route.

Other Major Highways in Turkey

The North Marmara Highway is not the only significant highway in Turkey. Here are some other crucial highways:

• E5 Highway: Starting from Büyükçekmece in the European section of Istanbul, this highway is a vital artery, connecting the European and Asian sides of the city, significantly reducing travel time.
• Basin Express Highway: Located in the European part of Istanbul, it connects major highways such as TEM and E-5 and serves as a focal point for significant real estate investments.
• TEM Highway: This globally known highway starts in Portugal, passes through Turkey, and ends in Iran, connecting key districts in Istanbul and serving as a major junction for several roads.
• Istanbul-Izmir Highway: Connecting Istanbul, Izmir, and Bursa, this highway links the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, and western Anatolia. It features state-of-the-art facilities, and the journey time has been reduced from 8 hours to 3.5 hours.

In conclusion, the North Marmara Highway plays a pivotal role in Turkey's transportation network, boosting economic activity and regional development. Along with other significant highways, it ensures efficient and quick travel across the country.