Zigana Tunnel (1988)

The Zigana Tunnel, completed in 1988, is a road tunnel located in the Pontic Mountains of Turkey. It is situated on the highway connecting Trabzon to Gümüşhane, important cities on the Black Sea coast and inland, respectively. The tunnel was constructed to bypass the challenging Zigana Pass, a high mountain pass with steep inclines and sharp curves that historically made travel between these regions difficult and dangerous, especially during winter months due to heavy snowfall and icy conditions. The tunnel significantly reduced travel time and improved safety on this crucial transportation route. It runs under Mount Zigana, allowing for a more direct and less arduous journey. The completion of the Zigana Tunnel in 1988 was a significant infrastructural development for the region, facilitating trade and tourism.