₾246 Million Project Unveiled: Transforming the Stepantsminda-Lars Route"
In a significant move aimed at modernizing infrastructure, the Department of Highways has unveiled a comprehensive plan to upgrade the 4.5-kilometer road stretching from Stepantsminda to Lars.
The proposed two-lane road project, which cuts through some of the most challenging geographical terrains, is designed to significantly slash travel time. The blueprint reveals plans for two expansive overpasses and two tunnels. Their specifications are as follows:
• Overpass N1, crossing the Terg River, is slated to span 2018 meters. • Overpass N2 will stretch over a length of 636 meters. • Tunnel N1 and Tunnel N2 are planned to extend 460 meters and 846 meters respectively.
The extensive tunneling and overpassing activities will account for 88% of the total design distance, resulting in an average expenditure of 55 million GEL per kilometer or 54,670 GEL per meter.
As per the design parameters:
• The project targets a design speed of 60 km/h. • The road will have a total width of 14.0 m, with the carriageway measuring 7.0 m. • Each driving lane will be 3.5 m wide, with a total of two driving lanes included in the design.
The project encompasses a section of the road situated within the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, under the jurisdiction of the Kazbegi municipality. This section traverses a largely uninhabited terrain, along the left bank of the Tergi River. The challenging topography of a narrow river valley, flanked by mountains on both sides, presents a unique construction challenge.
Potential contenders for this project have until July 28 to make their bid. The qualifying criteria stipulate that the contender must have generated a minimum annual turnover of 57 million dollars in the past five years. They must also have executed at least one contract worth no less than 76 million dollars during the same period. Additionally, they should have an established record of constructing tunnels of at least 1.3 kilometers in length and bridges with a carriageway area not less than 20,500 square meters.
The project is a key component of the broader North-South highway initiative. Currently, the 23-kilometer Kusheti-Kobi highway construction is progressing, promising to shorten travel time by approximately 45 minutes while also enhancing road safety. Estimated to cost 1.2 billion GEL, this project's pivotal element is a 9-kilometer tunnel, of which 6.4 kilometers have already been completed.