Automotive Exports – November 2017

Monthly automotive aftermarket magazine
2 nd Zigana Tunnel Longest in
Turkey & Europe, 2 nd in the World
Being under construction, the
New Zigana Tunnel of which
construction launched 1,5 years ago
when completed will feature the longest
tunnel in both Turkey and Europe and
2nd in the world. Until today, totally
8 thousand 807 tons excavation was
fulfilled including both way of the tunnel.
Being built on the highway of Trabzon-
Gumushane connecting Eastern Black
Sea and Caucasians to the Middle East
and Iran, the new Zigana Tunel on
the route of historical Silk Road, the
drilling works are continuing in the
tunnel. Following first Zigana Tunnel’s
groundbreaking which was made 42
years ago and having completed 14
years ago in 1,700 meters length, now
the second tunnel in 29 kilometers
starting Başar village of Macka town of
Trabzon province, the tunnel drilling
works continues in the district of Kostereli
of Torul town of Gumushane province.
Road will shorten 8 km
The 2nd Zigana Tunnel with two ways
each one in 14,5 kilometers length has
been planned to finish 29th October
2019. In the past 1,5 years, having
excavated 30 percent of the tunnel that
will be the longest tunnel of Turkey to
exceed the Ovit Tunnel which is being
built on Rize-Erzurum highway in length.
On the side of Gumushane, 6,554
meters of drilling was made in both
ways, as for Trabzon side, 2,253 meters
of drilling was made in both ways in
the double-way project which will
cost TL580 million. As Totally 8,807
meters drilling works have been made
including both ways, of these 3,241
meters have been covered by cement.
While 400 workers work in both sides
around the clock, in the tunnel natural
airing will be implemented as a different
airing system from Ovit Tunnel. The
groundbreaking ceremony of the tunnel
was made by the participating of Prime
Minister Binali Yildirim 1,5 years ago in
March 2016. When the new Zigana
Tunnel finishes the road from Trabzon
to Gumushane, Bayburt provinces, from
there to Erzurum, Erzincan will shorten
more; a safety and economic transport
opportunity will be provided.