CURRENT SITUATION OF HIGH SPEED TRAIN PROJECT BETWEEN ANKARA AND KONYA

(Updated on 14.11.2005)

The other important Project for our country is Ankara-Konya High Speed Train Project after Ankara-Istanbul High Speed Train Project and Marmaray Project in connection with the goal of high speed train initiation of the Ministry of Transportation in our country.

As one of the major cities of Turkey in terms of population, agriculture, and industry, Konya will approach Ankara and Istanbul with this Project.

The existing railroad between Ankara and Konya is 987 km through Ankara-Eskisehir-Afyon corridor and the highway between Ankara and Konya is 258 km .

Since the railway passenger and freight transport between Ankara and Konya takes too long time, land transportation is preferred.

For this reason, it has been planned to construct Ankara - Konya railroad for the purpose connecting Konya with three big cities ( Istanbul , Ankara , Izmir ) of Turkey via high speed railroad that will ensure a faster transportation.

After completing Ankara-Konya and Ankara-Istanbul High Speed Train Project, the travel time between Ankara and Konya , which is currently 10 hours and 30 minutes, will decrease to 1 hour and 15 minutes and the travel time between Istanbul and Konya , which is currently 12 hours and 25 minutes, will decrease to 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The project and engineering tender of Ankara-Konya new railroad connection was held on 20.12.2004, the contract was concluded with the contracting company on 12.01.2005 and the works were commenced on 27.01.2005. Application projects were completed as of September 30 th , 2005.

Supreme Planning Council decision dated 26.08.2005 and numbered 2005/46 and Cabinet decision dated 31.08.2005 and numbered 2005/9357 were taken for the implementation of "Ankara-Konya New Railroad Surveying Project" and for including Ankara-Konya High Speed Train Project in the investment program under the new project number 2005E010150.

The preparations for calling for a substructure tender in two separate segments. The bids will be received on December 14 th -15 th , 2005.

Substructure construction is planned to take 10 months as of site delivery.

Superstructure tender will be held 3 months later the commencement of construction.

Studies are continuing to determine the method of superstructure tender.