Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Train Project: 5 ministers, 13 years, and costs exceeding 101 billion lira

The Ankara-İzmir High-Speed Train Project, initially slated for completion in 2016, has become a symbol of protracted delays and escalating costs, with only 24% physical progress reported as of July 1, 2026. The project's budget has surged dramatically, increasing over 23 times from its original 4.3 billion Turkish Lira estimate in 2013 to a staggering 101.4 billion Turkish Lira by 2026.

Construction began in 2013 with a commitment to finish within 1,080 days. However, 13 years later, the line remains incomplete. Under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the project's expenditures have climbed steadily. In the first half of 2026 alone, 1.4 billion Turkish Lira was spent on construction and consultancy services. The total announced cost has risen from 16.4 billion TL in 2020 to 101.4 billion TL in 2026, reflecting significant overruns year after year.

Adding to the project's troubled history, five different ministers have overseen the line during its construction. The project commenced during Binali Yıldırım's term as Minister of Transport. Subsequent ministers Lütfi Elvan, Ahmet Arslan, Mehmet Cahit Turhan, Adil Karaismailoğlu, and the current minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu have all held the portfolio during different phases of the project's prolonged development.

The escalating costs and lengthy delays raise questions about project management and financial oversight. While the government aims to complete the line, the current pace and budget suggest further challenges may lie ahead for this critical infrastructure endeavor connecting Turkey's capital with the Aegean coast.