Unresolved road and parking problems in Gudauri could undermine the impact of new infrastructure projects planned for the resort, Miranda Esakia, co-founder of the Mountain Resorts Business Association (GMRBA), told BMGTV.
Esakia says rehabilitation work on an approximately three-kilometer section of road in the Mneso Valley has been underway for five months and remains unfinished. The journey from Tbilisi, which normally takes around 1.5–2 hours, can now take four to five hours. Traffic congestion near New Gudauri adds further delays, particularly during the New Year holiday period, when visitors have reportedly spent hours trying to reach the ski lifts.
The problems also affect waste collection and could prevent emergency vehicles from reaching their destinations. Esakia argues that authorities should enforce parking rules and fine vehicles obstructing traffic, noting that municipalities can impose GEL200 fines under Article 125 of the Administrative Offences Code.
Gudauri is set to receive GEL31 million in investment for new ski lifts and slopes, including night skiing. Snowmaking systems and existing slopes are also being upgraded. However, Esakia warns that without resolving road access and parking issues before the season begins, the benefits of these improvements could be significantly reduced.
