Opened to traffic with a ceremony by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Çamlıhemşin Tunnel and its connecting bridges constitute the new 2-kilometre stage of the 39.5-kilometre route. Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the road was shortened by 1.5 kilometres, travel time was reduced by 20 minutes, and an annual saving of 772 million lira (TL) is projected.
The project is expected to save 675 million lira in time and 97 million lira in fuel. Vehicle carbon emissions are also calculated to decrease by 4,800 tonnes. Minister Uraloğlu said this way Rize's and Ayder's nature would be protected.
