Foundation Laid for Antalya-Alanya Motorway
Travel Time Between Antalya and Alanya Reduced to 36 Minutes
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Antalya-Alanya Motorway, which will connect Turkey’s tourism capital, Antalya, with Alanya over a distance of 122 kilometers, was held on July 25, 2025. Once completed, the motorway will reduce travel time from approximately 2.5 hours to just 36 minutes, easing the region’s traffic congestion and significantly boosting its tourism and trade potential.
Implemented under the Build-Operate-Transfer model, the Antalya-Alanya Motorway project was awarded through a construction contract signed in October last year. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Manavgat on July 25, 2025. The ceremony was attended by some high-profile figures, including Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and AK Party Antalya Deputy Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, MHP Antalya Deputy Abdurrahman Başkan, and General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen. Also present were Nihat Özdemir and Sezai Bacaksız, Honorary Chairmen of the Limak Group, along with Chairwoman of the Board Ebru Özdemir, Vice Chairman Serhan Bacaksız, and Board Member Batuhan Özdemir.
Abdulkadir Uraloğlu: A Corridor of Civilization at the Heart of Tourism and Agriculture
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Antalya–Alanya Motorway, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that approximately 235.1 billion lira has been invested in Antalya’s transportation and communication infrastructure since 2002. Highlighting the need to address increasing traffic congestion in parallel with Antalya’s rapid tourism-driven growth and population rise, Uraloğlu remarked:
“We are delighted and proud to begin construction of the Antalya–Alanya Motorway. Antalya and Alanya are among the brightest stars in the Turkish tourism industry. These destinations, which welcome millions of visitors each year, are year-round attractions, from the heat of summer to the mild winter breezes. However, the growing population and tourism activity have created a need for fresh momentum in our transportation infrastructure. The Antalya–Alanya Motorway is being built precisely to meet this need.
The motorway is a 122-kilometer-long corridor of civilization, consisting of an 84-kilometer main route and 38 kilometers of connecting roads. The project includes seven intersections—Serik, Taşağıl, Manavgat, Manavgat East, Alarahan, Konaklı, and Alanya West—along with five tunnels totaling 4,365 meters in length, 16 viaducts spanning 5,966 meters, and four highway service facilities. With this project, we will deliver one of the finest examples of modern engineering.
This motorway will serve as a bridge connecting the orange blossom scent of Antalya, the banana plantations of Alanya, the pine forests of the Taurus Mountains, and the Mediterranean breeze. It will carry our people, our commerce, and our culture into a faster, safer, and more comfortable future in this beautiful region where tourism and agriculture flourish.
The design speed of the main roadway has been set at 140 km/h, with connecting roads designed for 110 km/h. This will relieve congestion—particularly during the busy summer months—reduce travel times, and offer our citizens a stress-free journey.”
A Symbol of the “Century of Turkey”
Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized that the Antalya–Alanya Motorway is not merely a transportation project, but a significant development initiative, and continued:
“Our local and international guests visiting the region will be able to reach Alanya’s Cleopatra Beach, Antalya’s Kaleiçi, the Aspendos Theater, and Manavgat’s cascading waterfalls more easily. The ability to explore more destinations in less time will enhance tourism diversity, revitalize the local economy, and create new employment opportunities. The motorway will not only enrich tourism but also support agricultural prosperity, embracing all the values of our region. Fruits and vegetables grown locally will reach markets faster, bringing smiles to the faces of our merchants and farmers.
Once completed, the motorway will reduce the current travel time from 150 minutes (2.5 hours) to just 36 minutes. With the elimination of traffic congestion, we expect to save a total of 17.7 billion lira annually—16.9 billion lira in time savings and 800 million lira in fuel costs. In addition, by cutting carbon emissions by 47,000 tons, we will help preserve the pine-scented air of the Taurus Mountains, the clear waters of the Mediterranean, and the natural beauty of this extraordinary region.
Another critical point is that this motorway will be integrated into an uninterrupted highway network extending to Izmir, Istanbul, and the European border, as well as the planned Denizli–Burdur and Burdur–Antalya highways. In this regard, our project holds strategic importance not only for the region but also for Turkey’s position within the global logistics network.
The Antalya–Alanya Motorway will stand as a symbol of the “Century of Turkey”, firmly rooted in the spirit of these lands.
With these thoughts, I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues at the General Directorate of Highways, our contractor, and the wonderful people of this unique region for their dedication to bringing this project to life. I hope the Antalya–Alanya Highway brings prosperity and good fortune to our area, our country, and our nation.”
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy: Transportation Infrastructure Is the Backbone of Tourism
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated:
“Antalya is not just a tourist destination. With its cultural heritage, economic dynamism, and global outlook, it is one of Turkey’s key centers that embodies the country’s multifaceted potential. Every investment made in this direction connects not only roads, but also services, production, and development.
Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we continue to take determined steps in line with the Century of Turkey. The new transportation investments we are launching and commissioning today are a concrete reflection of this comprehensive vision for development.
Considering Antalya’s growing population and the intense tourist traffic during the summer months, every improvement made to road infrastructure directly enhances the city’s quality of life and supports many sectors, especially tourism.
These projects are being implemented to provide comfort, safety, and continuity in all aspects of life in Antalya, beginning from the first point of contact for our guests. We act with the awareness that transportation infrastructure is the backbone of tourism. In this context, the Antalya–Alanya Motorway, for which we are laying the foundation today, will be a strategic milestone.
Travel times, which can stretch into hours during peak tourism seasons, will be reduced to minutes upon the project’s completion. This is not only a gain in terms of time, but also a significant step forward in terms of comfort, safety, and sustainability.
On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to our President, who is leading our nation’s progress across all areas. I also extend my thanks to our Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, and to all stakeholders for their dedication and cooperation in realizing these transportation investments that bring added value to our city.
I sincerely believe that every new investment will contribute to the future of our country. May this project bring prosperity and good fortune to Antalya, to our nation, and our people.”
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and AK Party Antalya Deputy Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also commented:
“The Antalya–Alanya Motorway will connect with the highway coming from Denizli, as well as the Antalya–Mersin route, also known as the Mediterranean Coastal Road. This integration will connect our two airports.
Traffic in Antalya is increasing every day. Thanks to the efforts of our Minister, the number of tourists visiting Turkey continues to rise. The D-400 highway is currently quite congested. For example, it can take a bus carrying tourists from Antalya to Manavgat over three hours, sometimes even four.
As part of ongoing efforts, some intersections have already been reorganized. With the implementation of smart intersections, revised traffic signaling, and multi-level junctions, we believe traffic congestion on this route will be significantly eased. We would like to express our gratitude in advance for these improvements.”
Extending from the Foothills of the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean Sea
Under the contract signed with the General Directorate of Highways, the Antalya–Alanya Motorway, to be constructed by Limak Construction, will span a total of 122 kilometers, comprising 84 kilometers of highway and 38 kilometers of connecting roads. The route will begin at the Serik Interchange, follow a corridor along the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, and end at the Alanya Interchange, located north of Konaklı.
The motorway will include seven interchanges, 16 viaducts, five tunnels, 308 culverts, and 41 underpasses, as well as four service facilities. The design speed is set at 140 km/h for the main roadway and 110 km/h for the connecting roads.
Significant Impact on Tourism, Agriculture, and Trade
The Antalya–Alanya Motorway will address a critical infrastructure need in the region by alleviating traffic congestion and reducing travel time to just 36 minutes. It will also lower transportation costs—one of the significant expenses in agricultural logistics—thereby boosting the competitiveness of the sector.
This project will provide a modern, efficient, and comfortable transportation network, and it is expected to deliver significant benefits to the tourism, agriculture, logistics, and trade sectors. By improving access to key tourism destinations such as Manavgat and Alanya, the Antalya–Alanya Motorway will provide both local and international travelers with a safer, faster, and more comfortable travel experience.
Moreover, it will enhance the region’s overall attractiveness by supporting year-round tourism, helping to extend visitor activity across all 12 months, and further strengthening the local economy.