Oil Chiller Tunnel

The Yağdonduran Pass, a key transit point between Sivas and Malatya provinces, posed a major problem for drivers, especially during winter months, due to severe adverse weather conditions including heavy snow precipitation, icing, and snowstorms that caused significant disruptions to transportation. To address this issue, construction of the Yağdonduran Tunnel began in 2016 and it was opened to service in 2024. The 1567-meter-long twin-tube tunnel has been designed to provide drivers with a safer, more comfortable and fast passage, to offer as intended.

• Location: Sivas-Malatya Highway, between the districts of Ulaş and Kangal.
• Elevation: 1750 metres.
• Tunnel Length: 1567 metres.
• Total Length Including Connecting Roads: 5 kilometres.
• Construction Start Date: 2016.
• Opening Date: 13 March 2024.
• Route Shortening: 2 kilometres.
• Travel Time Reduction: 10 minutes.
• Slope: 2% (starting at 1674 metres and ending at 1705 metres).
• Traffic Structure: Twin-tube system on a divided road standard.

The Yağdonduran Tunnel is equipped with Turkey’s first remotely controlled fire fire suppression system. The JET NOZUL fire suppression system automatically activates in the event of any fire. The tunnel is also under 24/7 surveillance through advanced camera monitoring systems.

In addition:

• It was constructed with a divided road standard using asphalt hot mix surfacing.
• Special infrastructure works were carried out to resist heavy snowfall and icing.
• Sharp curves and steep ramps have been rendered safer through the tunnel’s alignment.
• Internal ventilation and lighting systems incorporate modern technology.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the opening of the Yağdonduran Tunnel has resulted in together:

• Travel time reduced from 40 minutes to 30 minutes.
• • An annual savings of 253 million TL is expected:
  • 110.4 million TL in time savings
  • 142.7 million TL in fuel savings.
• Annual carbon emissions have been reduced by 10,200 tonnes, contributing positively to the environment.

The Yağdonduran Tunnel ensures uninterrupted connectivity between Sivas and Malatya, directly supporting economic activities in the region. Drivers engaged in load and passenger transport, who previously faced severe difficulties during winter months, can now travel with greater safety. With the tunnel’s opening:

• Traffic safety has improved.
• The workload of highway maintenance teams has decreased.
• The mobility of heavy-duty vehicles has increased.

With its infrastructure, safety measures, and economic advantages, the Yağdonduran Tunnel has become one of Türkiye’s critical tunnel projects. The closure of the previously impassable Yağdonduran Pass during winter months, now replaced by the tunnel, has made the Sivas-Malatya highway safer, faster and more comfortable. Time, the project also draws attention for its environmental benefits alongside its fuel and cost advantages.