Antalya holds poll for building of tramline

ANTALYA

OVer 90 percent voted in favor of the 200-million Turkish Lira project, according to the municipality’s press office.

The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality has held a mini popular poll on the proposed new tramline system to be built in the Mediterranean city.

A total of 8,777 people cast their votes on Aug. 31, with 8,631 voting in favor of the 200-million Turkish Lira project, according to the municipality’s press office.

The voting included the locals of 20 neighborhoods that the planned tram will pass through as part of the “EXPO Square Rail System Line.”

Mayor Menderes Türel thanked all who voted “for using their democratic right” and promised to continue consulting Antalya locals about new projects in the future.

The municipality’s press office said approximately 50,000 people were using the 11-kilometer rail system every day and the new project aimed to add a further 16 kilometers to the line.

The ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Türel returned to office after winning the March 30 elections. He had lost to Mustafa Akaydın of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in the 2009 local elections after one term in office. Back then, it was claimed that the building of the tramline and its costs contributed to Türel’s defeat to Akaydın.

The construction of the new tramline is planned to be completed before the city’s hosting of the EXPO 2016 event.