Tbilisi Reroutes Traffic Around Rustaveli Avenue Ahead of Major Infrastructure Overhaul Starting Sept 1In response to ongoing rehabilitation works on Rustaveli Avenue, the Tbilisi Municipality has developed a temporary traffic management plan that will take effect on September 1.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze addressed the alternative traffic scheme for streets adjacent to the capital’s main avenue in a video message released today.
According to the new plan, two-way traffic will be introduced on several streets, and two primary access routes have been designated to reach the Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium.
Mayor Kaladze emphasized that clear information regarding the temporary rerouting is vital for drivers. Beyond social platforms, video guides will be broadcast on television to ensure the general public is fully informed.
Specific Traffic Rerouting (Effective September 1)
Two-Way Traffic Introduced:
- * Pavle Ingorokva Street (entire street)
- * 9 April Street (section between Ingorokva St. and Zurab Zhvania St. intersections)
- * Zurab Zhvania Street (section between 9 April St. and Zakaria Chichinadze St. intersections)
One-Way Traffic Adjustments:
- * Zurab Zhvania Street (section leading toward Besiki St. will remain one-way)
- * Besiki Street (section from Zhvania St. to Shevchenko St. will be one-way)
- * Shevchenko Street (one-way from Besiki St. toward Chichinadze St.)
- * Lermontov Street (remains one-way, but direction is reversed—drivers can now access Shalva Dadiani St. from Kikodze and Machabeli Streets via Lermontov St.)Access Routes to the Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium
- * Route 1 (From Freedom Square): Drivers will take Leonidze and Ingorokva Streets to reach 9 April Street, turn left onto Zhvania Street, and continue toward Besiki and Shevchenko Streets.
Route 2 (From Upper Mtatsminda): Drivers originating from Chonkadze or Polikarpe Kakabadze Streets will enter Mtatsminda Street, connect via Arsena Street, and proceed toward Besiki and Shevchenko Streets.
* Return / Exit Route: From Shevchenko Street, drivers can make a left turn to return via Zhvania, 9 April, and Ingorokva Streets. From there, access to Freedom Square, Lermontov Street, and Dadiani Street is available via Leonidze and Kikodze Streets. Access to the upper streets of Mtatsminda will be permitted from 9 April Street via Arsena Street.
Mayor Kaladze’s StatementKakha Kaladze noted that the rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue will ultimately be an exemplary project that everyone will take pride in, though he asked residents for patience during the construction phase:
"A few days ago, I spoke about the immense importance of this project for our city, as well as the significance of Rustaveli Avenue itself—its past, present, and future—and the severe condition of its underground infrastructure.
Naturally, the priority is replacing underground utilities, which brings significant disruption, particularly regarding traffic movement, along with noise and dust affecting local residents. However, carrying out work of this scale is simply impossible without these measures.
My request to everyone is that we endure this together until the end of November. Rest assured, once the rehabilitation is complete, this will be an outstanding project, and we will all take pride in the results," Kaladze stated.
