Tbilisi City Hall has announced an international tender worth GEL 416.5 million for the design and construction of a new tram line connecting Didi Digomi to the Didube Metro. The project provides a 7.5-kilometer route with 11 stops, alongside the development of a tram depot and related technical infrastructure. The initiative marks a major step in reintroducing tram transportation to the capital, aiming to enhance urban mobility and reduce traffic congestion in one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The planned tram line will primarily run through the central section of Davit Agmashenebeli Alley, currently designated as a green zone. City officials have not yet disclosed how much green space might be affected by the project. The selected contractor will be given 36 months to complete the project, including 24 months dedicated specifically to construction. The project will follow the Design-Build (DB) model, which integrates both design and construction phases under a single contract to streamline implementation.
The tender does not cover the procurement of rolling stock—10 tram units estimated to cost at least GEL 200 million, expected to be purchased under a separate tender by the Tbilisi Transport Company. This brings the total projected cost of the city’s tram revival to over GEL 600 million. Each tram train will have the capacity to carry a minimum of 300 passengers, significantly improving transit connectivity between the 3rd and 4th microdistricts of Didi Digomi and the Didube Metro hub.
According to the tender documentation, the project encompasses design works such as topographic and geodetic surveys, soil testing, passenger flow analysis, and engineering feasibility studies. Infrastructure development will include tram tracks, contact lines, a depot, administrative facilities, technical service centers, and security systems, all integrated with a modern signaling and automation network. Eligible bidders must have completed at least two tram line projects since 2010. The deadline for submitting bids is December 22, and the approved conceptual design must be submitted within three months, with detailed designs finalized within nine months, followed by 24 months of construction.
