ADB approves $750 million loan for Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday approved a 645.8-million-euro ($750 million) loan for the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project (INRAIL), a 127-kilometer electrified railway line designed to bypass Istanbul and link Europe and Asia. The project aims to connect two main airports to the national rail network and relieve supply chain bottlenecks for freight and passengers. The total project cost is estimated at $8.27 billion, with the World Bank having already approved $2 billion in financing in March.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday approved a 645.8-million-euro ($750 million) loan for the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project (INRAIL), a 127-kilometer electrified railway line designed to bypass the Istanbul metropolitan area and provide a high-capacity overland rail link across the Bosporus.
The project aims to connect two main airports to the national rail network and relieve a supply chain bottleneck for both passengers and freight. ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Leah Gutierrez said the flagship rail project reinforces Türkiye's strategic role as a key link between Asia and Europe, providing faster, high-capacity, and more reliable movement of freight. Gutierrez added that the collaboration of international financial institutions maximizes development impact and efficiency.
The total project cost is estimated at $8.27 billion. The World Bank approved $2 billion in financing for the same project in March 2026. The ADB and the World Bank are cofinancing the initiative to streamline project preparation and deliver effective development support. A second ADB loan for the same amount is scheduled for consideration in 2028.
The project aligns with Türkiye's 12th Development Plan and the Transport and Logistics Master Plan.