Traffic is Diverted to the 6,5 km Section of Tbilisi-Rustavi Highway
Cement-concrete pavement arrangement works are completed on the right (Ponichala-Rustavi direction) 6,5 km Section of Tbilisi-Rustavi Highway and concurrently the traffic has been diverted from the old to the new road section. This event was attended by the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia - Mr. Davit Shavliashvili accompanied by his First Deputy and Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Amashukeli, ADB urban development senior specialist Mr. Bertran Goalu, Mayor of Rustavi, Mr. Davit Jikia and State Authorized Representative in Shida Kartli, Mr. Paata Khizanishvili.
It is notable that traffic diversion to the above-stated section will be temporal. In particular, on the right side of the highway, two-way traffic will take place till completion of cement-concrete pavement arrangement works on the old road. Following works’ completion, Tbilisi-Rustavi Highway will accommodate one-way traffic. Road diversion issues on the 6,5 km Section of Tbilisi-Rustavi Highway is agreed with traffic police. After project completion, trip from Tbilisi to Rustavi will take 15 minutes and conveyance will become the most safe and convenient. Interchanges, traffic centers, overpasses, underpasses, tunnels, pedestrian and motor bridges, and sidewalks will be constructed under the project along the highway. Following development of this infrastructure, the Tbilisi-Rustavi highway will completely release the two-way traffic moving in this direction.
Estimated length of the design road is 17.4 kilometers. Considering complexity of the road alignment, the design road and respective design activities are divided into three following different sequences: First section – from the intercity bus terminal to the restaurant Marabda – 4km long. Second section – densely populated Ponichala area – with estimated length of 6.8 kilometers. At this section, construction of completely new, approximately 2km long urban type detour road is planned along the river Mtkvari. Third section – located from the Ponichala Settlement exit to the Rutsavi Motor Vehicle Fair is 6,5 kilometer long. Currently, rehabilitation works are ongoing on the first and third sections of the highway, cost of works amounts to GEL 88 761 128,95. There are some 250 persons employed at the construction site, majority of them are locals.
As for the second section, its detailed design is completed and submitted to the ADB. Tender for this section will be announced in 2015.
