Over the past two decades, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Republic of Türkiye has experienced one of the most comprehensive periods of transformation in its history. Alongside remarkable progress in fields such as education, healthcare, the defense industry and tourism, investments in transportation and infrastructure have paved the way for a historic transformation. This period has been marked not only by the implementation of major infrastructure projects but also by extending these services to even the most remote parts of the country, thereby making a critical contribution to social integration and regional development.

The defining characteristic of this period has been the expansion of public access to essential services and the integration of large segments of society that had long remained on the periphery into the country's economic and social center. In fact, the scope and scale of the achievements accomplished within such a relatively short period of 20 years have yet to be fully appreciated. Each of these major initiatives deserves comprehensive evaluation in its own right. Without the investments realized during this period, it would have been difficult to articulate the vision of the "Century of Türkiye" for the second century of the republic or to set the ambitious goals that now define the country's future.

Through transportation investments that have enhanced mobility, brought cities closer together and strengthened production networks, millions of people who had long remained excluded have gained greater opportunities to participate in economic and social life. By extending transportation services that were once concentrated in only a few major urban centers across the entire country, Türkiye has both reduced regional development disparities and laid the foundations for the geographical expansion of industry and commerce. As noted above, without these major investments over the past two decades, it would have been extremely difficult to advance the vision of the Century of Türkiye. The economic dynamism, integrated infrastructure, and technological capacity required to realize this vision have been built largely upon the investments made during this transformative period.

The investments undertaken by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure have effectively turned Türkiye into one of the world's largest construction sites. Divided highways and motorways have fundamentally changed perceptions of distance between cities. Massive tunnel projects have overcome geographical barriers. Bridges and subsea crossings have established rapid links between continents. Urban rail systems and metro networks have expanded across numerous cities. Railway transportation has regained strategic priority, while high-speed rail networks have been developed. New airports have extended air travel accessibility throughout the country. Investments in maritime transportation and port infrastructure have strengthened export capacity. Moreover, advances in fiber-optic networks, satellite systems and communication infrastructure have significantly enhanced digital integration. As a result, Türkiye has emerged as the intersection point of major transportation corridors extending along both the east-west and north-south axes, substantially strengthening its integration into global supply chains.

National railway development

In recent years, railways have once again assumed a central position in Türkiye's transportation strategy. The country's railway network expanded from 10,948 kilometers (6,803 miles) in 2002 to 13,919 kilometers (8,649 miles) by 2025. Approximately half of the existing urban rail transit network was constructed during this period. Alongside the expansion of the network, modernization efforts have continued at an equally rapid pace. The length of signaled railway lines increased from 2,505 kilometers (1,556.5 miles) in 2002 to 8,046 kilometers (5,000 miles) in 2025, while electrified lines expanded from 2,122 kilometers (1,318.5 miles) to 7,274 kilometers (4,520 miles) over the same period. Moreover, as the railway system expanded and its capacity increased, growth was observed not only in passenger transportation but also in freight transport. For example, freight transportation capacity increased from 14 million tons in 2002 to 31.7 million tons by 2024.

As infrastructure investments accelerate in pursuit of increasing the share of railways in both passenger and freight transportation, equal emphasis has been placed on developing domestic rolling stock production, which is an essential component for ensuring the long-term sustainability of this transformation. In this context, the production of indigenous high-speed trains represents far more than an effort to reduce external dependence in the transportation sector. It is also a strategic initiative that contributes to the advancement of Türkiye's engineering capabilities, high-tech industries, and manufacturing capacity. Through this initiative, Türkiye will not only meet its own domestic demand but also acquire the potential to export railway technology and rolling stock to neighboring countries in the medium and long term.

One of the most tangible manifestations of this national initiative is the National Electric High-Speed Train Manufacturing and Testing Facility currently under construction in Sakarya. Built on an area of approximately 15,000 square meters (161,459 square feet), the facility represents one of the largest industrial investments ever made in the city. Once it reaches full production capacity, the factory is expected to manufacture and test 12 high-speed train sets annually, playing a pivotal role in establishing Türkiye as a regional center for railway systems manufacturing while fostering the development of the domestic railway industry. Perhaps its most significant achievement will be the production of Türkiye's first indigenous high-speed train. In doing so, Türkiye will substantially reduce its dependence on imported railway vehicles and strengthen its position as a country capable of bringing its own engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities to global markets.

The benefits of the facility extend well beyond manufacturing itself. The project is expected to create 250 new jobs, strengthen local supply chains, support businesses and commercial activity in Sakarya, encourage research and development as well as technological innovation, and generate an estimated annual economic contribution of approximately TL 3.5 billion. Moreover, the project is expected to stimulate the emergence of a new industrial ecosystem dedicated to railway technologies in the region. By attracting highly skilled professionals, promoting stronger university-industry collaboration and encouraging the establishment of new technology centers, Sakarya has the potential to emerge as one of Türkiye's leading technology hubs in the medium term.

In summary, the transportation investments undertaken over the past two decades constitute the backbone of Türkiye's development story. Today, accessibility across both domestic and international transportation networks has improved significantly; production and trade have accelerated; and stronger economic and social integration has been achieved throughout the country. Within this broader transformation, the national initiative to develop indigenous railway manufacturing represents a strategic leap forward. The National Electric High-Speed Train Manufacturing and Testing Facility in Sakarya is not merely a production plant; it is poised to become a new driver of high technology, industrial development, and export capacity, fully aligned with Türkiye's vision for the second century of the Republic.