Kilometre-long queues at Yassıköy toll plaza prompt urgent action call

Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat has brought recurring traffic congestion and lengthy vehicle queues at the Yassıköy toll plaza on the Egnatia Motorway to Parliament, calling on authorities to take urgent measures to address what he described as a serious traffic and road safety risk.

Ferhat submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport concerning delays at the toll plaza, particularly during weekends and peak traffic hours.

He said the congestion affects not only local residents but also visitors arriving in the region from other Balkan countries.

Queues reportedly reach nearly 2 kilometers
According to Ferhat, drivers traveling particularly from Gümülcine toward İskeçe face lengthy delays at the Yassıköy toll plaza.

Citing complaints from motorists, the MP said vehicle queues can extend to approximately two kilometers, forcing drivers to move at very low speeds for extended periods.

Ferhat identified the limited number of open toll booths and the Egnatia Pass lane being out of service among the main causes of the recurring congestion.

Ferhat warns of road safety risks
Ferhat said the congestion is not merely a matter of lost time but also creates significant road safety concerns.

He argued that long queues disrupt traffic flow on the motorway and that sudden reductions in vehicle speeds increase the risk of accidents.

“On a modern, high-speed motorway, it is unacceptable for drivers to be forced to wait in queues stretching for kilometers, particularly on weekends and during periods of heavy traffic,” Ferhat said, adding that the situation creates both inconvenience for citizens and a serious road safety problem.

Congestion spills over to alternative routes
According to Ferhat, some drivers attempting to avoid the toll plaza delays have begun using the old national road and local rural roads.

He warned that this has created additional traffic congestion and safety concerns on alternative routes, meaning the impact of the toll plaza bottleneck extends beyond the immediate area.

Ferhat said a permanent solution is therefore needed rather than measures limited to the toll plaza itself.

MP seeks answers on four issues
Ferhat asked the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to clarify what measures will be taken to address the recurring delays and requested answers on four key issues:

• What measures will be introduced to prevent repeated lengthy delays at the Yassıköy toll plaza?
• Whether the motorway operator has been instructed to keep sufficient toll booths and lanes open during peak traffic periods.
• The reasons for recurring problems affecting the Egnatia Pass lane and measures being taken to prevent further disruptions.
• Whether an assessment has been conducted regarding the road safety risks created by long vehicle queues at the toll plaza.

‘Effective toll operations are a basic public service’
Ferhat stressed that the issue should not be treated solely as a transportation problem, arguing that the effective operation of toll facilities is important both for citizens' access to transportation and for road safety.

“The proper and efficient operation of toll booths is not a luxury but a basic service that must be provided to citizens,” Ferhat said.

He added that Rodope and Thrace should not have to face kilometer-long queues on the Egnatia Motorway, which is used by thousands of residents and visitors, and called on the authorities to implement a permanent and effective solution as soon as possible.