Let us know that you approve our cookie policy.
We use our own and third-party cookies to optimize your property searching experience on our website. If you continue, we assume that you agree with our use of cookies.
SHARE
New Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi Motorway Opens in Mersin!
The Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi section of the Çeşmeli–Erdemli–Silifke–Taşucu Motorway opened to traffic at 00:01 on October 19, 2026. The new route covers 52 km in total, including 41 km of motorway and 11 km of connecting roads. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the motorway is expected to reduce journeys that can take up to 2.5 hours during heavy summer traffic to around 18 minutes. The project is expected to ease travel between Mersin, Erdemli, Kızkalesi, and the western coastline.
New Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi Motorway Cuts Travel Time to 18 Minutes
.jpg "New Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi Motorway Cuts Travel Time to 18 Minutes")
The motorway begins at Çeşmeli Junction, where it connects with the existing motorway network. It continues north of Erdemli and Kızkalesi, running broadly parallel to the D400 Mersin–Antalya road, before reconnecting with the D400 at Kızkalesi Junction.
The new route is designed to take a large share of transit traffic away from the existing coastal road. Congestion on the D400 becomes particularly heavy during the summer tourism season, when residents and visitors travel toward Erdemli, Kızkalesi, Silifke, and other coastal destinations. According to the ministry, journeys that can reach 2.5 hours in heavily congested summer conditions are expected to take approximately 18 minutes on the new motorway.
Infrastructure along the section includes 10 grade-separated interchanges, seven tunnels, five viaducts, two motorway service areas, and six toll collection areas. A maintenance centre and a tunnel operations centre have also been built as part of the project.
The motorway is already open to traffic, but the official inauguration ceremony will take place separately at a later date. Minister Uraloğlu said the ceremony is planned with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
How Much Does the Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi Motorway Cost?
According to the announced toll tariff, drivers will pay TRY 56 between Çeşmeli and the Erdemli East exit and TRY 184 for the full Çeşmeli–Kızkalesi route. The toll was calculated under the build-operate-transfer model, with the contract based on a per-kilometre charge of 0.06 Euro plus VAT. The new motorway is therefore more expensive than the existing route, but it provides a much faster alternative during periods of heavy coastal traffic.
How the Motorway Will Support Mersin’s Tourism and Economy
Improved access is particularly important for Mersin’s western coastline. Erdemli, Kızkalesi, and nearby holiday areas receive heavy road traffic during the warmer months, and shifting transit vehicles away from the D400 should reduce pressure on the coastal route.The motorway is also expected to make travel from Çukurova International Airport toward Mersin’s tourism areas easier.
Additionally, the project extends the existing Tarsus–Adana–Gaziantep motorway system. The ministry says this will strengthen connections along the Mersin–Adana–Gaziantep–Şanlıurfa corridor and improve links between Mersin’s ports, production centres, and the national motorway network. It is also presented as infrastructure supporting the road component of the Development Road Project.
The government forecasts annual savings of TRY 2.68 billion from reduced travel time and TRY 340 million from lower fuel consumption, bringing the projected total to TRY 3.02 billion per year. Annual carbon emissions are expected to fall by around 17,000 tonnes. These figures are only predictions rather than measured results, as the motorway has only just entered service.
What the New Motorway Means for Mersin’s Real Estate Market
For Mersin’s property market, the clearest immediate change is improved accessibility. Coastal areas around Erdemli and Kızkalesi can now be reached more easily from central Mersin and from the wider motorway network. The interest in coastal apartments and holiday homes may see an increase due to the road reducing one of the main inconveniences of summer travel. Businesses may benefit from easier regional access as well.
However, motorway access alone does not guarantee higher property prices or rental returns. Local planning rules, housing supply, neighborhood infrastructure, beach access, construction quality, and demand will continue to influence individual property values. The longer-term effect of the new motorway on Mersin’s real estate market will become clearer as traffic patterns and buyer preferences adjust to the new route.
Do You Have More Questions? ASK AN EXPERT
SEND
RELATED PAGES
COMMENTS
LEAVE A COMMENT
LATEST POSTS