Sunko Proje, through its joint venture with Mega Mühendislik, is carrying out the survey and design services for the Rize New Southern Ring Road, planned by Türkiye’s General Directorate of Highways.
The route is approximately 31.5 kilometres long and is being designed as a 2×2-lane divided highway. In addition to the road itself, the project includes tunnels, bridges and viaducts, interchanges, retaining structures and drainage systems.
A Route Designed for Rize’s Geography
Designing a new road in Rize involves much more than finding the shortest line between two points. Steep slopes, deep valleys, heavy rainfall, surface water, landslide risks and existing settlements require different engineering solutions along each section of the route.
For this reason, the work began with the development of alternative alignments. These alternatives are being compared in terms of constructability, tunnel and bridge requirements, geological conditions, environmental impact and cost. Following detailed studies, the aim is to identify the safest, most feasible and most economical route.
Integrated Design of Roads, Tunnels and Bridges
The main element of the project is the 31.5-kilometre divided highway. Its horizontal and vertical alignment is being developed together with the tunnels, bridges, viaducts and other engineering structures along the route.
The project is expected to include the design of 18 interchanges, approximately 24,821 m² of bridges and viaducts, and around 2.7 kilometres of tunnel sections.
For bridges and viaducts, structural and foundation alternatives are being assessed in terms of construction methods, seismic safety, maintenance requirements, cost and compatibility with the surrounding environment. Tunnel studies address rock and soil conditions, portal areas, excavation methods and support systems as part of a coordinated design process.
Understanding the Ground Before Designing
Geological and geotechnical investigations form a major part of the project due to Rize’s complex and variable ground conditions. The planned investigation programme includes approximately 9.4 kilometres of borehole drilling, supported by field tests, geophysical surveys and laboratory studies.
The results are used to identify landslide-prone areas, evaluate slope behaviour and determine foundation and ground improvement requirements. These findings directly inform the design of tunnels, bridges, viaducts, retaining structures and the road itself.
Water management is equally important in a region known for heavy rainfall. Stream crossings, surface runoff, flood risks and drainage requirements are being assessed along the entire route to develop safe and durable hydraulic and drainage solutions.
An Investment in Rize’s Future
Once completed, the Rize New Southern Ring Road is expected to reduce through-traffic in the city centre, improve urban road safety and strengthen Rize’s regional transport connections.
Sunko Proje continues to bring together its highway, bridge, tunnel, geotechnical and hydrological engineering teams to develop a safe, practical and context-sensitive transport solution for Rize’s distinctive geography.
Project Information
Client: General Directorate of Highways, Türkiye
Design consultant: Sunko Proje A.Ş. – Mega Mühendislik Joint Venture
Location: Rize, Türkiye
Route length: Approximately 31.5 km
Road standard: 2×2-lane divided highway
Scope of services: Surveys and design of the highway alignment, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, interchanges, geotechnical works, drainage systems and traffic safety measures