9 km highway of Zestafoni bypass opens for car transport on April 26

Georgia: As part of the Ricoti highway construction project, the 9 km Zestafoni bypass was opened for car transport on April 26, 2024.

The most crucial section of the Zestafoni bypass was opened, which means that it will be possible to get from Tbilisi to Batumi in 3 and a half hours, which will be done in compliance with international security norms.

The new road will relax Zestafoni from traffic and reduce highway travel time. In addition, due process is underway to set up a passenger service center along the new highway, providing for traditional Zestafoni fast food establishments. Three days ago, we completed the 9km tunnel cutting connecting the village of Subsheti-Kobe as part of the construction project of the historic Subsheti-Kobe. 

There are many more large-scale and successful projects ahead. We are not only building roads; we are creating modern communication for a better future for Georgia, “Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Irakli Karseladze said about this at the opening event of the Zestafoni bypass.

Zestafoni Bypass is a 9 km, 4-lane cement-concrete road with four tunnels and 11 bridges. The new road is part of the Sharapani-Argweta section of the Ricoti project, which plans to build a 14.7 km highway. At this stage, 80% of the work is complete—15 of the 17 bridges have been built, and all ten tunnels have been cut. It will only take 6 minutes to pass the detour.

Motor vehicles moving on the East-West International Highway (E60) will no longer have to enter the city of Zestafoni and will benefit from the new Zestafoni bypass, which will join the East-West Expressway at Argveta Junction.

Up to 52 km of road, including 97 bridges and 51 tunnels, are being built as part of the Ricoti highway construction. Currently, 36 km of road has already been opened for motor transport, 89 bridges have been built, and 50 tunnels have been cut. 

Construction is underway in parallel on all remaining bridges and tunnels. Motor transport has already benefited 70% of the new Ricot highway road.

Construction of the Shorapan-Argveta section of the highway is underway with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 276 km of the East-West highway, or 64%, have already been opened for motor transport. Construction continues on highway 66.1 km. The total construction cost of Ricoti’s cross section is 2.6 billion GEL. The project will be completed by the end of 2024.