Tunnel and Multi-Lane Highway to Connect Tbilisi and Mtskheta

The Georgian government has unveiled details of an upcoming bypass road project around Tbilisi, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital's urban areas, Vesti Kavkaza reports.

The new highway, spanning 50 kilometers, will begin in Mtskheta and pass through tunnels and four-lane sections to connect key areas like Tbilisi Sea, Avchala, and Gldani. Other significant points on the route include Lilo Lake, with the road extending towards Rustavi. Environmental assessments of the project have found no significant issues, paving the way for its development. The upgraded road will enhance accessibility to notable attractions such as the Jvari Monastery near Mtskheta.

Discussions surrounding the construction of a new road between Natakhtari and Zhinvali, as well as the Natakhtari-Rustavi bypass highway, began in 2016. The planned route was to include major points like Tbilisi Sea, Lilo, and Rustavi. According to BPN.ge, the design phase is expected to conclude by late 2025.

In 2024, Georgia completed a 14-kilometer bypass road around Batumi. The route traverses villages such as Makhinjauri, Gantiadi, Kapreshumi, Salibauri, Peria, Makhvilauri, and Khelvachauri. The project included:

- A two-lane asphalt road,
- 20 bridges,
- Five tunnels,
- Four interchanges.

This bypass has significantly improved access to Adjara's resorts, alleviating traffic congestion on older routes and reducing travel times for both residents and visitors.

Additionally, a new highway connecting Batumi and Sarpi is in development. Spanning 11.4 kilometers, this road will feature a 7.6-kilometer two-lane tunnel covering 67% of the route. Starting from Charnali and passing through Akhaltsopeli, it will connect to the E70 international highway near Sarpi. Plans also include a new bridge over the Chorokhi River and an upgraded interchange near the Turkish border.

Future Projects
Further infrastructure projects include:

- A bypass road around Kobuleti, set to start in 2025.
- A modern four-lane highway connecting Tbilisi and Batumi, reducing travel time to just over three hours.
- A new access road to Anaklia port.

Turkey is also planning a railway line from Samsun to Sarpi, passing through Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin. This will facilitate transportation between Ankara, the Black Sea region, and Georgia, cutting travel times significantly.

Ongoing Developments
The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia reported in late 2024 that 355 kilometers of road projects are already in operation, including:
- Rikoti Highway: 70% complete,
- Batumi Bypass Road: 14 km,
- Tbilisi-Sagarejo Highway: 35 km,
- Bakurtsikhe-Tsnori Highway: 18 km.

On the Rikoti Highway, 48 kilometers have been opened, incorporating 49 new tunnels and 88 bridges. The historic 1,750-meter Rikoti Tunnel has also been fully reconstructed.

The government cites infrastructure expansion as a key driver of economic growth. Minister of Economy Levan Davitashvili projected a 9% economic growth rate for 2024, bolstered by a 10% increase in the first ten months of the year. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze described Georgia as a regional leader in growth, aiming to maintain this momentum in 2025.

The World Bank forecasts Georgia to achieve the highest average economic growth in the Europe and Central Asia region from 2024 to 2026, at 6.7%. For 2024, the bank revised its growth estimate upward to 9%, a 3.8-percentage-point increase from earlier predictions. Growth projections for 2025 were also adjusted, reaching 6%, up by one percentage point.

Georgia's ambitious infrastructure plans, including the Tbilisi-Mtskheta highway, underscore the nation's commitment to modernization and economic expansion. These projects aim to enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and support regional trade. Combined with robust economic growth projections, they position Georgia as a dynamic player in both regional and European contexts.