Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Friday said works on the remaining section of the Grigoleti-Kobuleti bypass highway in the country’s west would be completed this year for the road to open to traffic.
Karseladze noted traffic had already been allowed on the 11-km-long, four-lane section of the highway where works were completed.
Once completed, the bypass will connect to the Samtredia-Grigoleti road, with traffic between Grigoleti and Kobuleti seaside towns directed via the high-speed highway, the Ministry of Infrastructure said.
"The Samtredia-Grigoleti [road] will be directly connected to the section of the Kobuleti bypass road, which is important both for the summer season and for daily needs of the population, so that travel becomes faster, safer and more comfortable on the main roads in Western Georgia”, the Minister said.
Karseladze noted challenges related to the remaining 3-km section of the road, leading to the contractor and supervisory companies being requested to “increase the appropriate mobilisation and resources”.
The construction works of the Grigoleti-Kobuleti main road project include the construction of a 14.4-km, four-lane, asphalt concrete road, 22 bridge crossings, four traffic junctions, water pipes and underground passages.
The body also noted the highway construction project was being implemented within the European Investment Bank's loan agreement worth GEL 228 million.