Türkiye plans to privatize operating rights for two Istanbul bridges and several highways

Türkiye is preparing to transfer the operating rights of two major Istanbul bridges and several highways for 30 years, under a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette.

The program covers the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which connect Istanbul’s European and Asian sides. It also includes the Nigde-Pozantı highway, the Gaziantep Ring Motorway and the Çağlayan Junction-Yenişehir Junction section of the Bursa Ring Road. Maintenance, operating and service facilities linked to the roads are included as well.

The state plans to complete the process by December 31, 2031. The bridges and highways may be offered together or in separate groups. Unlike a 2010 plan for a single package with 25-year operating rights from physical handover, the new decision extends the operating period to 30 years.

Türkiye previously tried to transfer the Istanbul bridges’ operating rights more than a decade ago, but abandoned the effort after judging a winning bid of $5.7 billion too low. The Privatization Administration said the latest model does not sell public assets. Ownership will remain with the state while an operator holds the rights for a specified period.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the government was examining the model to avoid additional pressure on the budget. “Highways and bridges are not being sold. We are examining whether to grant operating rights for certain periods and transfer the cost of these works to the operator to prevent additional pressure on the budget,” he said.

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Highways and bridges are not being sold. We are examining whether to grant operating rights for certain periods and transfer the cost of these works to the operator to prevent additional pressure on the budget.