مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - CONSTRUCTION-PROCESS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT AND FUTURE OF THE SİVAS-ERZURUM RAILWAY

Abstract :

The first effect of the industrial revolution on transportation systems was with railroads. Railroads, which started in England and then expanded in Europe, were begun to be constructed in Ottoman Empire from the second half of the 19th century. But most of the lines which were constructed at that time were built as separate lines of arrival in accordance with the interests of Western countries. Network-type lines, which would physically and economically connect the territories of the country, couldn’t be constructed in any way. Though it was planned to build lines that would connect the east of Anatolia to the west during Ottoman Empire period, it couldn’t be succeeded because of both capital shortage and political turmoil. With the new republic, railway construction has been the national policy of the country. Because of this, it was focused on railway construction with the slogan of equipping all the country with railway network. The republic managers expressed at every opportunity that it was necessary to construct a railway network between the east and west of country to ensure the political, economic and cultural integrity. Thus, it became a current issue that Ankara had to be connected to Erzurum over Sivas in no time.Sivas-Erzurum line, which was built by Anatolian people’s own capital, engineer and worker, was completed in 1939. Sivas-Erzurum railway project, which was one of the most important projects of republic period, was a significant means for the region to open out. In this study, the political, economic and cultural effects of the railway in the region are revealed. Besides, the importance of the freight villages that are planned today by Turkish State Railways (TCDD) in Sivas, Erzurum and Kars, and the importance of Ankara-Kars high-speed train line in the region’s future integration with the country and world is evaluated.