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The Ankara Governor's Office announced Thursday that heavy vehicles, motorcycle couriers and electric scooters will face temporary restrictions across parts of the capital as Ankara steps up security and traffic measures ahead of the 36th NATO Summit on July 7-8.
The measures, introduced to ensure security, protect public order and maintain public safety during the summit, will be enforced from July 6 through July 9 under the decision.
Fuel tankers, concrete mixers, tow trucks and other heavy vehicles will not be allowed to enter Ankara from 4 p.m. on July 5 until 10 a.m. on July 10 local time (GMT +3), according to the statement. Authorities also designated special routes for trucks carrying food, medicines and other urgent perishable goods during the restrictions.
The restrictions cover the main routes linking Esenboga Airport and Ankara Etimesgut Airport with the city, the section of the Ankara Ring Road between the Ortakoy junction in Mamak and Yuvakoy in Yenimahalle, and major roads including Mevlana Boulevard, Ozal Boulevard, Ismet Inonu Boulevard, Dumlupinar Boulevard, Anadolu Boulevard, Sakip Sabanci Boulevard, Ankara Boulevard, Ataturk Boulevard and 1071 Malazgirt Boulevard.
They also apply to the area surrounding the Presidential Complex and hotels hosting summit delegations, including JW Marriott, Sheraton, Lugal, Hilton, Divan Ankara, Bilkent, InterContinental, Metropolitan, Alegria Business, Hilton Garden Inn, Crowne Plaza, Movenpick, Wyndham and Grand Mercure.
Electric scooters will be barred from the designated areas, and owners have until July 4 to remove parked scooters. Motorcycle couriers will also be prohibited from using the same routes and surrounding areas between July 6 and July 9.
The governor's office further urged residents and businesses not to leave vehicles, caravans or containers parked along summit routes or in parking areas at public institutions, universities, shopping malls, markets, repair shops and commercial properties from July 4 through July 9.
Ankara has been undergoing an extensive makeover ahead of the July 7-8 NATO Summit, with authorities speeding up infrastructure upgrades, transport improvements and security preparations as the Turkish capital gets ready to host leaders from all 32 NATO member states, along with senior officials from partner countries in the Gulf and Asia-Pacific.
The summit, to be held at the Bestepe Presidential Complex, marks Türkiye's second time hosting NATO leaders after the 2004 Istanbul summit and is expected to be one of the alliance's most significant gatherings in recent years.
It is expected to center on alliance unity, higher defense investment, defense industrial capacity and support for Ukraine, while leaders review progress on commitments agreed upon at the 2025 Hague Summit, including the goal of raising defense spending toward 5% of GDP.
Among the most significant infrastructure projects is the transformation of the former military Etimesgut Airport into a dedicated VIP gateway operating under the airport code ANK.
The renovated facility is expected to receive domestic and international government aircraft carrying heads of state and official delegations, reducing pressure on Esenboga Airport during the summit.
Preparations across Ankara also include resurfaced roads along motorcade routes, upgraded landscaping, new pedestrian barriers and renovated building facades on key protocol corridors. Security has also been tightened with expanded traffic controls, additional personnel and the deployment of air defense assets.
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