Turkey plans to offer private-sector operators 30-year rights to operate two major Istanbul bridges and several highways as part of a multibillion-dollar privatization program, according to Bloomberg.
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The plan covers the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which connect Istanbul’s European and Asian sides across the Bosphorus Strait, under a decree signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to Bloomberg, the move marks a renewed attempt to privatize operating rights for the two bridges for the first time in more than a decade. Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time, previously rejected a winning $5.7 billion bid, considering the offer too low.
Turkish authorities aim to complete the privatization process by December 31, 2031.
Data from Turkey’s General Directorate of Highways show that state-operated bridges and highways generated an estimated $600 million in net profit last year.
The Turkish Treasury also collected around 2.52 billion Turkish liras, equivalent to approximately $53 million, in value-added tax from highway and bridge tolls in 2025.
Source: Al Mamlaka / Bloomberg
