BAKU, Azerbaijan, Sept. 10
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Georgian government is starting construction of the longest tunnel in country, 9-km in length and 15 meters in width, Trend reports via the Ministry of Infrastructure.
The Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel starts at Tskere village and ends at Kobi village, and will pass under Jvari pass.
Overall, construction of 2-lane 23 km long asphalt-concrete road, five bridges is planned on Kvesheti-Kobi road, including renovation of one more tunnel. Once the project is completed, distance between Kvesheti and Kobi will be reduced by 11 km instead of the existing 34 km, and travel time will be reduced to 20 minutes instead of 1 hour.
Kvesheti-Kobi section is a part of the North-South Road Corridor. The road passes through a difficult geographical route and is characterized with heavy snowfalls in the winter period. Due to avalanche hazard and adverse weather, traffic is often closed in winter and transit traffic is interrupted. Construction of a new road and 9-km tunnel will address pending issues. Unhindered transit traffic will be possible at any time of the year.
Kvesheti-Kobi road goes along the riverbed of Tetri Aragvi along a 7-km section, passes through Arakveti village, then Serpentine starts from Kvemo Mleta.
The construction work of Kvesheti-Kobi section is financed by Asian Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The total cost of the project is 1.2 billion lari ($386.3 million) and is due to be completed by 2024.
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