Regarding the Kvesheti-Kobi 22.7 km section project, a discussion was held on the Scoping Report in the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

The discussion was attended by First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia and Chairman of Roads Department Irakli Karseladze, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Nino Tandilashvili, Deputy Chairmen of Roads Department, specialists of environmental and social issues and representatives of design and non-governmental organizations.

At the meeting, a company Gamma Consulting provided a detailed presentation regarding the project. Initially, there were 9 alternatives on the project, out of which 5 alternatives were selected and, finally, 3 alternatives have been reviewed, out of which the final alignment was selected considering less impact on environment and all other factors.

Kvesheti-Kobi road construction project envisages construction of 2-lane asphalt-concrete road, 6 bridges and 5 tunnels, including one 9 km tunnel. The tunnel starts at the village of Tskere and ends at the village of Kobi, mentioned tunnel will pass under the Jvari pass. Construction of Kvesheti-Kobi road is divided into 2 lots.

After implementation of the project, conditions for road users in winter period will be safer and more reliable. In addition to this, a new road will prevent traffic of vehicles in Kazbegi National Park and Gudauri winter resort.

The road will also improve living conditions of population remained in the gorge, which are isolated from the outside world in winter period and villages of Khada gorge are almost empty.

After completion of construction of the new road, a distance between Kvesheti and Kobi will be reduced by 12 km instead of existing 35 km road and travel time on this road will be reduced to 20 minutes instead of 1 hour.