MANILA, June 2026 — The Asian Development Bank has approved a €645.83 million (US$750 million) loan to support the construction of the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project, a 127-kilometre greenfield railway line that will bypass the Istanbul metropolitan area and provide a high-capacity rail connection across the Strait of Istanbul. The project is intended to strengthen Türkiye’s role as a strategic logistics gateway between Europe and Asia.
The new double-track electrified corridor will carry both freight and passenger services while relieving congestion on existing rail routes through Istanbul. The railway will also connect Türkiye’s two main airports to the national rail network, improving multimodal transport integration and enhancing mobility across the region. According to ADB, the project is expected to deliver faster, more reliable and cost-effective transport services for cargo operators, logistics providers and passengers.
The loan forms part of a broader international financing package under the ADB–World Bank Full Mutual Reliance Framework. The World Bank previously approved US$2 billion in financing for the project, while additional support is expected from institutions including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development. Total project costs are estimated at US$8.27 billion.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to play a significant role in increasing rail capacity between Europe and Asia. Earlier government estimates indicated the line could accommodate approximately 33 million passengers and 30 million tonnes of freight annually, helping to address existing bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of cross-Bosphorus rail transport. The project will also provide an alternative to the capacity constraints currently affecting freight movements through the Marmaray rail tunnel.
The investment reflects a broader trend toward strengthening Eurasian transport corridors through rail infrastructure. As trade volumes continue to grow and supply chains seek greater resilience, projects such as the Istanbul North Rail Crossing are expected to enhance regional connectivity, support economic development and reinforce rail’s role in international freight transport.
Source: Asian Development Bank
ADB Backs Strategic Istanbul Rail Freight Bypass Project
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Governments and development banks are increasingly investing in rail infrastructure to strengthen international trade corridors and improve supply chain resilience. Türkiye has secured major financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a new railway line designed to enhance freight and passenger connectivity between Europe and Asia.
