Holiday return turns into ordeal as traffic grinds to a halt in Istanbul and surrounding provinces

The return journey after the Kurban Bayram holiday has turned into a traffic ordeal for many in Turkey, with significant congestion reported on the Tekirdağ-Istanbul highway. As citizens travel back from their hometowns and holiday destinations, long queues of vehicles have formed, causing considerable delays.

The intense traffic is particularly noticeable in areas such as Yenice, Yeniçiftlik, Beyazköy, and Marmaraereğlisi, where traffic flow has come to a standstill at various points. Traffic teams are working diligently to manage the situation and ensure the flow of vehicles.

To mitigate the congestion, the Tekirdağ Provincial Police Department has implemented extensive security and traffic measures. A total of 79 teams and 444 personnel are deployed across the province, with 30 teams and 82 traffic officers specifically managing traffic flow at seven major signalized intersections along the Tekirdağ-Istanbul highway.

Furthermore, a temporary restriction has been placed on heavy-tonnage vehicles heading towards Istanbul. Starting from 1 p.m. today until 1 a.m. on June 1, only vehicles carrying essential goods like fuel, food, and perishable products are permitted to proceed. Other heavy vehicles are being redirected to waiting areas in Sultanköy Mahallesi, Marmaraereğlisi district, and will be allowed to continue their journey after the restriction period ends. Officials anticipate that the holiday return traffic will persist through the night and into tomorrow, urging drivers to adhere to traffic rules and consider alternative routes.