Hüseyin Zeybek raises Egnatia toll plaza safety concerns in parliament
In a parliamentary question addressed to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Zeybek highlighted the recurring congestion on the Egnatia Motorway and warned that the situation at toll stations has developed from a seasonal inconvenience into a structural transportation problem.
According to Zeybek, the long queues are not merely causing delays for motorists but also creating serious safety risks, as vehicles waiting at toll plazas can become involved in potentially severe collisions.
Zeybek recalls fatal 2025 crash
Zeybek pointed to a fatal crash at the Yassıköy toll plaza in August 2025, when a heavy vehicle reportedly collided with vehicles waiting in the queue, resulting in the deaths of three people.
The MP said he had previously raised concerns about the dangers at the toll plaza and stressed the need for permanent and effective measures to prevent similar accidents.
However, he argued that despite the time that has passed since the fatal incident, congestion and safety risks at the toll plaza remain unresolved.
Toll capacity under scrutiny
Zeybek also questioned whether the existing toll infrastructure is capable of handling the growing volume of traffic.
He said the Yassıköy toll plaza currently has only three lanes, with one reportedly dedicated exclusively to automatic toll collection. He criticized the lack of infrastructure investment to increase capacity despite the long-standing increase in traffic.
The MP also highlighted the shortage of adequate rest areas and service facilities along the Egnatia Motorway section crossing the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region, describing this as another significant weakness in the area’s transportation infrastructure.
Free toll access also raised
Zeybek’s parliamentary question also addresses toll policies introduced following the transfer of the Egnatia Motorway to private-sector management.
He criticized the removal of free-passage arrangements previously available to certain professionals and commercial vehicle users in Thrace.
The MP also raised concerns over the future of free toll access for residents of Western Thrace and called on the government to provide a clear and binding guarantee regarding whether the arrangement will be maintained.
Five questions submitted to ministry
Zeybek asked the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to clarify what concrete measures are planned to eliminate the queues at Yassıköy and other toll plazas in the region.
He also requested information on the findings of investigations conducted following the fatal 2025 crash and whether there is a project to increase toll-plaza capacity.
Among the other issues raised was whether the government plans to remove or redesign the existing toll plazas and introduce electronic, uninterrupted toll collection systems.
Zeybek further requested government action to address the shortage of rest and service facilities along the Egnatia Motorway and sought clarification on the future of free or discounted toll arrangements for local residents, professionals and commercial vehicle users.
