Batumi Bypass Road Construction Nears Completion Despite Challenges
Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Irakli Karseladze, announced that the Batumi bypass road project, noted for its complex geological challenges, is set to be completed this year.
“Despite numerous challenges, the Batumi bypass road, our most demanding project undergoing construction in difficult geological conditions, will be opened for the season. This is crucial for Batumi,” Karseladze stated during an inspection of the construction site.
The project, vigorously underway, is a collaboration between the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia and funded by a 329,630,734 GEL joint loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The Batumi ring road endeavor entails constructing a 14 km dual-lane asphalt-concrete road, 20 bridge crossings, and 5 tunnels. Presently, tunnel excavation is complete, with three tunnels fully paved and two undergoing installation of engineering networks. Nineteen out of the proposed twenty bridges have also been constructed.
“All five tunnels are through, with road laying and paving already finished in three. Engineering networks are being set up, with excavation works ongoing in the remaining two tunnels. Nineteen of the twenty bridges are completed. All these developments are clear indicators that the Batumi bypass road, our most challenging project, will reach completion within the year,” Karseladze remarked.
He highlighted the project's significance in easing traffic through Batumi, with two junctions planned to facilitate city entry and significantly reduce congestion.
The new bypass will traverse the villages of Makhinjauri, Gantiad, Kapreshumi, Salibauri, Feria, Guchtauri, and Khelvachauri, offering a much-needed alternative to the current route that runs through areas bustling with tourists and residents. The completion of the Batumi bypass, alongside the Kobuleti bypass, is expected to significantly alleviate traffic in the resort regions of Adjara.