ADB Chief Visit Kvesheti-Kobi Tunnel Project Site

Tbilisi: Masatsugu Asakava, The chief of the Asian Development Bank, who is on his Visit to Georgia, visited and inspected the site of the Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel Project to know the pace of work . This project is being executed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank(ADB). Many Local ministers and leaders accompanied him. 

 On this occasion, the ADB chief was accompanied by the Georgian Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Irakli Karseladze and Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili. They got acquainted with the 9 km tunnel under construction within the framework of the new road project of Kobi. 

kveshti-Kobi road project undergoing within the framework of the loan agreement signed between Asian Development (ADB) and European Reconstruction and Development Banks (ERDB). The total cost of this agreement amount was 1.2 billion GEL.

it is to be specifically mentioned that the project is divided into two sections under which a 23 km, 2-lane asphalt-concrete road, five bridges, five tunnels and one bridge will be reconstructed. So far, 2 out of 5 tunnels have already been constructed, and the longest – 9 km long and 15 m diameter tunnel has already been cut upto 8 km and 100 m. However, works are actively ongoing on the remaining tunnels and bridges where the construction company is setting up towers and rails. 

The project will be completed in 2024-2025 in a phased manner.

Speaking on the occasion, Georgian Minister Irakli Karseladze added, “This unique project will be very important both for the regional union of the country and internationally from a regional point of view. At the same time, Impressive progress drilling on this historic project’s 9km long tunnel will begin next year. Additionally, the spare evacuation tunnel is being constructed, and the construction of the access road and bridges is also in full swing”.

Director of the Central and West Asia Department of the Asian Development Bank, Evgeny Zhukov, on the occasion, stated, “I am excited about the progress of construction work we have made in cooperation with our most important partner – the Ministry of Infrastructure. We had a great opportunity to provide an on-site presentation of one of the most important infrastructure projects in Georgia under Kobi Road and want to see the tunnel drainage works as soon as possible. Most of the tunnel has been drilled, and the works will be completed in February next year”.

This 9 km tunnel drilling works project is being produced by specially made tunnel bore equipment, including (TBM – Tunnel Boring Machine). Till now, almost 90% of the work is completed. This 9 km tunnel, the longest in Georgia, will be one of the longest tunnels in the world. Within the framework of the Kitsheti-Kobi road project, the construction of a 5 km road leading to Gudauri and a tourist centre is also under consideration. 

This project will be huge success as After the completion of the project, the transport movement towards Kobi will no longer be restricted in winter season of the year. Moreover, the new route will also reduce commuting times.