Cankurtaran Tunnel

Cankurtaran Tunnel is one of Turkey’s transportation projects connecting Black Sea Region to East and the Middle East. Constructed along the Hopa-Borçka route in place and designed to enhance driver safety during particularly harsh winter conditions, this tunnel was planned by the General Directorate of Highways. With a length of 5,228 metres, Cankurtaran Tunnel is Türkiye’s second-longest twin-tube tunnel and was opened to traffic on 1 March 2018. Upon completion of the project, travel distance in the region was reduced by 12 kilometres and traffic safety improved significantly.

General Information

• Location: Hopa - Borçka, Artvin, Türkiye
• Length: 5,228 metres
• Road Width: 2x2 twin tubes
• Client: General Directorate of Highways
• Construction Period: 2005 - 2018
• Opening Date: 1 March 2018
• Engineering & Design: Yüksel Proje
• Connections: Black Sea - Eastern Anatolia - Iran - Middle East

Purpose and Significance of the Project

The Cankurtaran Tunnel was constructed to facilitate transportation between the districts of Hopa and Borçka in Artvin. The Cankurtaran Pass, which frequently closed during winter months due to heavy snow precipitation, posed a major challenge for drivers. The construction of the new tunnel has led to the following benefits:

• A 12-kilometre reduction in route length has resulted in time and fuel savings.
• Winter transportation safety has been improved and accidents have been prevented.
• The regional economy has been supported and the efficiency of logistics routes has increased.
• The trade corridor linking the Black Sea region to Iran and the Middle East has been strengthened.
• Carbon emissions have been reduced, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Technical Features and Construction Process

The technical specifications of the Cankurtaran Tunnel are as follows:

• Total Length: 5,228 metres
• Number of Lanes (Outbound and Return): 2x2
• Construction Duration: 13 years
• Road Infrastructure: Variable traffic signs, steel overhead structures, clearance measurement systems
• Cost: Approximately 568 million TL

The tunnel, whose foundation was laid on 29 October 2010 by then Minister of Transport Binali Yıldırım, was completed in 2018 after prolonged construction phases and certain legal proceedings in courts.

Economic and Environmental Contributions

With the opening of the Cankurtaran Tunnel, transportation costs between the Black Sea region and Eastern Anatolia have decreased.

• Time savings: Journey duration has been reduced due to the 12-kilometre shorter route.
• Fuel savings: Thanks to the shorter distance and more direct route, annual fuel savings amount to nearly 100 million TL.
• Carbon emissions: Reduced vehicle travel distance has led to lower emissions.
• Regional trade development: The tunnel accelerates trade between Türkiye and Georgia, Iran and Central Asian countries, contributing to economic growth.

Transportation and Connections

The Cankurtaran Tunnel not only connects the Hopa-Borçka route but also forms part of a broader corridor linking the Black Sea to Eastern Anatolia and the Middle East.

• Connection via the Rize - Artvin - Ardahan Highway
• Transit route extending from the Black Sea to Iran
• Integration with trade routes of Eastern Anatolia and Central Asia
• The tunnel provides an alternative route, especially for heavy vehicles, enhancing logistics efficiency.

The Cankurtaran Tunnel has become one of the most important projects modernizing regional transportation. Since its opening, traffic flow in the region has become safer and more reliable, and winter transportation challenges have been largely resolved. In the future, this route is expected to be further improved with additional viaducts and bridges.