The Ministry of Infrastructure has submitted a project to the Environmental Supervision Department for the modernization of the Kobuleti bypass into a four-lane highway.
Currently, the Kobuleti bypass section of the East-West Highway operates as a two-lane road. The 31.3-kilometer section has been in use since 2018, although the government has been planning its expansion and modernization into a four-lane highway for several years. The prepared technical project has now been submitted to the Environmental Supervision Department for review.
Public discussions on the project are scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026, during which Kobuleti residents, interested individuals and organizations will be able to raise questions or share their opinions.
If the road is upgraded to a four-lane highway, travel speed in each lane will increase to 110–120 km/h, and overall road safety is expected to improve. The project also includes the construction of two tunnels, 305 meters and 174 meters long.
The documentation submitted to the Ministry outlines three possible route alternatives, from which the final alignment will be chosen during public discussions and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
The new road will run parallel to the existing bypass, except for the section directly adjacent to Kobuleti.
Alternative I – Runs parallel to the left side of the existing two-lane road for its entire length. Total length: 30.7 km.
Alternative II – Follows the existing road parallel to the left side for most of the route, but shifts to the right side in certain sections to improve curves. Additional upgrades to some sections are also planned. Total length: 30.7 km.
Alternative III – Runs parallel to the left side for most of the route, but shifts to the right side in several places to enhance technical parameters. Total length: 30.5 km.
