The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of 750 million dollars to support the construction of a new 127-kilometre railway line in Turkey. The project aims to strengthen the country’s strategic position as a transport and logistics hub between Europe and Asia through more efficient, reliable and competitive railway infrastructure.

The initiative, known as the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project, will create a high-capacity rail link that will cross the Bosphorus without passing through the city’s metropolitan area. This will alleviate one of the main bottlenecks in Turkey’s logistics network and improve both freight and passenger transport.

According to the ADB, the new line will contribute to economic growth, encourage private investment, create jobs and increase the resilience of logistics corridors to natural hazards. It will also connect the country’s two main airports to the rail network.

The project will be implemented through a co-financing agreement between the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, within a collaborative framework designed to streamline the preparation and implementation of major infrastructure projects. The approved loan is the first of two financing operations planned by the ADB, whilst a second loan of the same amount could be considered in 2028.

In addition to the ADB and the World Bank, other international financial institutions are expected to participate, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development.

El coste total estimado del proyecto asciende a 8.270 millones de dólares. La iniciativa se alinea con la estrategia de colaboración del BAsD con Turquía para el periodo 2025-2027 que se centra en la resiliencia y la conectividad regional.

The estimated total cost of the project is 8,270 million dollars. The initiative is in line with the ADB partnership strategy with Turkey for the period 2025–2027, which focuses on resilience and regional connectivity.

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