Istanbul Advances 17.5-Km Metro Line On Asian Side

Türkiye, August 2026 – Responsibility for the planned Ümraniye–Beykoz metro project has been transferred from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure following a presidential decree issued on August 18. The approximately 17.5-km line will run northwards through Kavacık and serve 14 stations on the Asian side of the city.

The project is designed to improve connections between several densely populated districts while linking with Istanbul’s existing and developing metro network. The line will interchange with the driverless M5 Üsküdar–Samandıra Metro at Ümraniye and with the new M14 metro at Bosna Boulevard, providing additional transfer opportunities across the Asian-side network.

For the urban rail sector, the project demonstrates the continued emphasis on network integration rather than isolated metro development. Interchange connections with existing and planned lines can improve passenger distribution across the network, strengthen access to employment and residential areas, and reduce reliance on road transport in a city where congestion remains a major transport challenge.

Financing has also been established for the project. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided €282.5 million towards an estimated total project cost of €410 million, including a €110 million loan extension announced in March 2026. The involvement of international financing institutions reflects the scale of investment required to expand Istanbul’s urban rail infrastructure.

The Ümraniye–Beykoz project forms part of Istanbul’s wider programme of metro expansion across both sides of the city. With new lines and extensions being developed alongside existing services, the project highlights the city’s longer-term strategy of building a more interconnected rapid-transit network capable of supporting continued population growth and shifting more urban journeys towards rail.

Source: Railway Pro