A tunnel built at Pirinkayalar Pass on the Erzurum-Artvin highway, which connects Eastern Anatolia to Artvin and extends to the Caucasus via Georgia, was inaugurated on December 29, 2021, at a ceremony held in Uzundere district where the tourist attraction Tortum Waterfall is located.
Known for its sharp bends and steep inclines that make it a nightmare for drivers in the winter months, the Pirinkayalar Pass tunnel has made transportation safer and more efficient.
The tunnel has contributed to saving approximately 150 million Turkish Lira in time and fuel costs over the course of 2.5 years.
Yüksel Oğuzhan, the Director of Highways 12th Regional Directorate, emphasized the vital importance of the tunnel.
Oğuzhan pointed out that over the years, drivers have faced difficult moments on the 4-kilometer long Pirinkayalar Pass due to its steep gradients, rockfalls, and narrow, sharp turns, resulting in numerous fatal, injurious, and damaging accidents.
Through the construction of the 2,272-meter long Pirinkayalar Tunnel, the adverse conditions on this route have been eliminated, making it the easiest passage, completely preventing accidents, and offering economic, safe, and comfortable travel with a reduction of 665 meters in the route and a 15-20 minute decrease in travel time.
Oğuzhan highlighted the tourism potential of the tunnel route, stating that it has significantly contributed to tourism by saving approximately 60 million Turkish Lira annually in time and fuel costs.
He also mentioned that there are ongoing tunnel projects in the Eastern Anatolia region, with 22 mountain passes and 46.4 kilometers of tunnel construction within the boundaries of the Highways 12th Regional Directorate.
Oğuzhan noted that when the construction of the tunnels connecting regions and countries is completed, transportation will greatly improve, providing ease of access. He specifically mentioned the progress on the remaining 2,000 meters of the 14,200-meter-long Kırık Tunnel, as well as the Dallıkavak Tunnel, and the ongoing work on projects such as the Kop Tunnel, emphasizing the importance of these tunnels that connect the Black Sea to Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia.
Overall, the completion of these tunnels will result in a much more comfortable and efficient transportation network across these regions.
