Turkish tunnel being built

The New Zigana Tunnel project in Turkey is currently under construction and is expected to cost up to US$1 billion in all. When complete this tunnel will measure an impressive 14.5km long. The two lane tunnel will connect Gumushane and Trabzon in the country’s north east, and will be located at an altitude of over 1,200m above sea level. The construction of the tunnel will replace the existing route over the Zigana Pass, which reaches an altitude above sea level of 2,032m. Once complete the new tunnel under
November 29, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The New Zigana Tunnel project in Turkey is currently under construction and is expected to cost up to US$1 billion in all. When complete this tunnel will measure an impressive 14.5km long. The two lane tunnel will connect Gumushane and Trabzon in the country’s north east, and will be located at an altitude of over 1,200m above sea level. The construction of the tunnel will replace the existing route over the Zigana Pass, which reaches an altitude above sea level of 2,032m. Once complete the new tunnel under the Pontic Mountains will cut the route by 8km and reduce journey times by around 20 minutes. The Zigana Pass is noted as a high risk route, with poor weather making it dangerous and particularly in winter periods. The new tunnel will boost safety and cut crashes. The construction of this new tunnel is expected to improve transport links for Turkey as well as for the Middle East, Iran and the Caucasus through to the Eastern Black Sea.

The existing Zigana Tunnel measures just 1.7km long and opened to traffic in 1977. It lies at an altitude of around 1,800m and is orientated in the north-south direction.
Road Structures

Related Content

  • Tunnel waterproofing solutions
    February 29, 2012
    Tunnels are the highest value assets on a highway, making their operation, safety and maintenance of paramount importance. Patrick Smith reports
    Read More
  • Major project to construct landmark Bay Bridge in California
    October 31, 2012
    Iconic California crossing will offer seismic safety – Adrian Greeman reports A unique single-span single-tower suspension bridge is the iconic centrepiece of a dramatic renewal of the eastern Bay Bridge in California, crossing from San Francisco to Oakland. Tourists in San Francisco sometimes mix up their bridges, identifying as the famous Golden Gate, the double suspension bridge which runs across the wide San Francisco Bay. These serially linked bridges in fact form the Bay Bridge east to Oakland whereas
    Read More
  • Stonehenge tunnel project being designed
    April 12, 2017
    Consultant AECOM is now working with Highways England on improvements to the busy A303 in the UK. The road upgrades will be carried out between Amesbury and Berwick South Down along a 13km section of the A303 route. AECOM will work with its supply chain partners Mace and Mouchel on the project. As the current alignment for the A303 passes just 165m from the Stonehenge World Heritage site (WHS), there is a strong need to redevelop the route so that it causes less harm to this important archaeological area. T
    Read More
  • Concrete paving a smoother surface using machine control technology
    May 17, 2017
    Innovative technology has been used to deliver a smooth concrete road surface on a busy stretch of highway in Nebraska. Much-needed work on a busy section of Interstate 80 has been carried out in Nebraska to improve the road surface. This is one of the most important highways in the US, providing a link that stretches right across the country between the east and west coasts. This busy highway carries a high percentage of heavy truck traffic as it is a vital transport route. However this constant flow of la
    Read More

Highlighted Content