TRTurkey has announced plans to privatize the operating rights of two major Istanbul bridges, the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, as part of a broader privatization program that also includes several highways such as the Nigde-Pozantı, Gaziantep Ring Motorway, and sections of the Bursa Ring Road. The initiative, outlined in a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette, allows for the transfer of operating rights for up to 30 years, with state ownership retained. This follows previous attempts to privatize the bridges over a decade ago, which were abandoned due to concerns over the competitiveness of bids. The Privatization Administration emphasized that the move does not involve the sale of public assets but rather the delegation of operational responsibilities to private entities to alleviate budgetary pressures. The government aims to shift costs associated with infrastructure maintenance and operations to operators, thereby reducing financial strain on public funds.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the privatization plan as a government-led initiative without overtly criticizing or praising the policy. It provides factual information about the scope, timeline, and rationale behind the decision, citing official sources such as the presidential decree and statements from the
