The World Bank has approved a $2 billion loan to support the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project (INRAIL), a major infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening railway connectivity across the Istanbul Strait. This investment is part of a broader coordinated financing effort involving multiple multilateral development banks, collectively contributing approximately $6.75 billion toward the project. The initiative is designed to enhance Türkiye’s strategic position as a key logistics hub connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The project will fund the development of a 127-kilometer electrified railway line that creates a new overland rail crossing of the Bosphorus. By utilizing the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and bypassing the densely populated Istanbul metropolitan area, the project is expected to significantly increase both freight and passenger rail capacity. It will also connect Istanbul’s two major airports to each other and to the national rail network, improving overall transport efficiency and reducing logistics costs.
A major objective of the initiative is to eliminate existing bottlenecks in Türkiye’s rail system, particularly along key international corridors such as the Trans-Caspian route, the Türkiye–EU corridor, and the Iraq Development Road. By enabling uninterrupted, high-capacity rail operations, the project will improve reliability, reduce travel times, and strengthen the resilience of transport infrastructure against environmental risks. A significant portion of the railway alignment will run through tunnels, helping to mitigate exposure to extreme weather conditions.
The project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including a dramatic increase in rail freight capacity across the Bosphorus—from around 3 million tons annually to as much as 50 million tons. This expansion will support trade growth, enhance supply chain efficiency, and encourage a shift from road to rail transport, contributing to more sustainable mobility solutions. Additionally, the initiative is projected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
Beyond infrastructure development, the project also aims to promote inclusive growth by creating employment opportunities and supporting workforce participation, including initiatives to increase women’s involvement in the transport sector. With a total estimated cost of $8.3 billion, the project reflects a strong international partnership and aligns with Türkiye’s long-term development strategies focused on sustainable infrastructure, economic integration, and regional connectivity.
