First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Chairman of Roads Department Irakli Karseladze, Deputy Chairman Levan Kupatashvili and representatives of transport projects implementing organization Vazgen Petrosian and Artur Sanoian reviewed construction issues of Sadakhlo-Bagratasheni bridge.

A new bridge will be constructed in the territory of Sadakhlo-Bagratasheni checkpoint at the river Debeda. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) finances construction of “Friendship Bridge” with the support of Georgian and Armenian governments. Roads Department of Georgia will carry out design & building of the bridge. For now, design works of the new bridge are underway.

Construction project of the joint bridge is unique in the region; part of the bridge will be in the territory of Georgia, and the other part – in Armenia. Parties also divided financing – Armenia will pay 50% of the credit and Georgia - the remaining 50%.

At the meeting, Irakli Karseladze provided the Armenian side with information on ongoing and planned large-scale road infrastructure projects in Georgia as well as shared experience regarding construction planning in difficult relief and climate condition.

Georgian and Armenian parties agreed on close cooperation during progress of the joint project and sharing experience in the direction of road construction-rehabilitation.