Infrastructure Minister Revaz Sokhadze confirmed that one direction of the collapsed Samtredia-Grigoleti bridge will reopen in 2026, with full two-way operations expected by early 2027, as Georgia works to restore a critical transportation link following the 2023 structural failure.
The 801-meter bridge over the Rioni River, which collapsed on February 21, 2023, is undergoing staged rehabilitation under a contract awarded to Caucasus Road Project company in 2024. The project involves restoring two parallel bridge structures, with pier rehabilitation on the first direction nearing completion.
"In one direction, the rehabilitation of the piers has almost been completed," Sokhadze told parliament during interpellation proceedings. "We hope that with an interim decision, we will open traffic in one direction next year, and we probably assume that the work on the restoration of these two bridges will be completed by the beginning of 2027."
The minister acknowledged that river conditions pose ongoing challenges to construction timelines but said authorities are expediting the project wherever feasible.
The bridge reconstruction carries significant fiscal implications, with total costs reaching approximately GEL 89 million (USD 33 million). The budget allocated GEL 14 million for demolition of the damaged structure, while full rehabilitation is projected at GEL 75 million.
The bridge failure occurred when the structure's eighth pier collapsed in February 2023, severing a vital highway connection between Samtredia and Grigoleti. State-appointed engineering experts delivered their assessment in December 2023, triggering the government's procurement and contracting process.
The one-year gap between the expert report and contract execution raised questions about response time, though officials have emphasized the complexity of engineering planning required for such infrastructure rehabilitation.
The Samtredia-Grigoleti corridor serves as a key artery connecting western Georgia's industrial and agricultural regions with the Black Sea coast. The bridge's collapse forced traffic diversions that increased transport costs and travel times for commercial and passenger vehicles.
Reopening even one direction in 2026 would provide significant relief to logistics operators and regional economies, though full capacity restoration remains dependent on completing work on both parallel structures. The project timeline will continue to face scrutiny as authorities balance speed of delivery against structural integrity requirements in challenging riverine conditions.
