Çerkezköy-Kapıkule High-Speed Train Line Enters Service and Connects Thrace with YHT
Passing a new milestone in Turkey's railway investments, the high-speed train network has been expanded and future targets shared.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu announced that with the opening of the Çerkezköy-Kapıkule High-Speed Train Line, the high-speed train network has reached 2,604 kilometers, and 3 more provinces in Thrace have been connected to the YHT.
Latest Developments in the High-Speed Train Network
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu announced that with the commissioning of the Çerkezköy-Kapıkule High-Speed Train Line, the high-speed train network has reached 2,604 kilometers. It was noted that the total railway network has been increased to 14,272 kilometers over the past 24 years.
New Lines in the Thrace Region
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Babaeski Station, Minister Uraloğlu stated that the 153-kilometer Çerkezköy-Kapıkule section, which is the longest segment of the Halkalı-Kapıkule Railway Line, has been put into service.
Newly Served Cities
Thanks to the newly opened line, the provinces of Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, and Edirne have been introduced to high-speed train comfort. With the addition of these provinces, the total number of provinces in Turkey with direct high-speed train transportation has increased from 11 to 14.
Technical Specifications and Speed
Built as a double-track, electrified system with level-1 signaling, the new railway line was designed to accommodate an operational speed of 200 kilometers per hour.
2028 Investment Targets
Minister Uraloğlu noted that they aim to increase the number of provinces directly reached by high-speed trains to 27 by 2028, stating that railway investments will continue with determination.
Kapıkule Station Area Expanded
The area of the Kapıkule Station yard was expanded from 253,000 square meters to 660,000 square meters. The number of tracks inside the station was increased from 23 to 42, reducing waiting times at border crossings.
Future Period Projects
It was reported that work continues on the Ispartakule-Çerkezköy section of the Halkalı-Kapıkule line, and the final segment of the project is planned to be opened to service before the end of 2026.