The USD 6 Billion Izmir Highway Stars At The End Of The Year – Milliyet 03.07.2009

Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım said that they would start ground breaking at Gebze-Orhangazi-İzmir Highway project at the end of this year, the latest. The project tendered on a Built-Operate-Transfer model was won by Nurol-Özaltın-Astaldi-Yüksel-Göçay Group after the offer they made for the construction and operation period of 22 years and 4 months. Yıldırım while mentioning the fact that no funds from the state coffers were going to be used for the investment, and that funds to be used for the confiscated lands will be paid by the contractors. He said: ” The estimated project value is about USD6 billions”. The highway will be 421 kms long and it will cover the İzmit Bay Crossing and Bursa-Balıkesir-İzmir Highway. It will start at Gebze and will reach Izmir passing through Balıkesir. The highway is 421 kms long. The Project will reduce the present 8 hour and 10 minute travel to 3 hours and 54 minutes.