Turkey has launched a comprehensive plan to upgrade and expand its railway network, targeting a total network length of 28,000 kilometres by 2035. This includes doubling tracks, electrifying certain routes, and upgrading control systems. The initiative also seeks to reduce CO2 emissions by shifting freight transport from road to rail. Istanbul aims to enhance its railway infrastructure to solidify its role as a strategic transit point between Asia and Europe, especially given the reduced viability of the northern route through Russia due to the war in Ukraine.
However, Turkey's mountainous terrain makes this programme both complex and costly. A potential solution could come from China, which has a vested interest in developing alternative connections to the Mediterranean basin and Europe through stable countries like Turkey. In January 2025, international sources reported that Beijing is considering a $60 billion investment in Turkish railway projects through financial institutions, construction firms, and engineering companies. Nevertheless, any such involvement would likely be influenced by the evolving dynamics between China and the United States under Trump’s second presidency.
