Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia has awarded a contract for construction of the last, fourth section of Rikoti pass road.

The contract for construction of Shorapani-Argveta (F4) section was awarded to JV Guizhou Highway Engineering Group and China National Technical Import & Export Corporation, a winner of international tender.

The contract was signed by Irakli Karseladze, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Chairman at the Roads Department, Mu Jinwei, Deputy General Manager of Guizhou Highway Engineering Group Co Ltd and Yang Bing, Deputy General Manager of Marketing Department of China National Technical Import & Export Corporation.

Asian Development Bank is financing construction of Shorapani-Argveta section with GEL 582,777,310. A four-lane, 14.7 km asphalt concrete road, 14 bridges and 12 tunnels will be constructed on Shorapani-Argveta section. Construction period is 3 years. A 14.7km Shorapani-Argveta road will ease traffic at mountainous sections, ravines and rivers. Currently, construction works on two sections of Rikoti pass road are actively underway, and cleanup activities are commenced at one section.

In sum, construction of up to 51.6 km road is planned on Rikoti pass, which includes 96 bridges and 53 tunnels. The modernization of the Rikoti Pass section is crucial for the development of the country's road network and its compliance with modern standards. Ultimately, the Rikoti Pass will reduce the distance of the East-West Corridor by 30 kilometers, and travel time from the Red Bridge to Sarpi will be cut in half, taking 4-4.5 hours instead of 8 hours.

A tender winner, GHEC, a part of the JV was founded in 1958. The company has 61 years of experience in construction of roads, bridges and tunnels. In the past years, the company has built more than 6000km roads and 1200 bridges and tunnels. GHEC has a big experience in construction of bridges and tunnels in mountainous areas. Beipanjiang Bridge, the highest bridge in the world is constructed by GHEC. As for China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC), it was established in 1952. During more than 65 years, the company has cumulatively completed the import of key technologies and equipment for more than 7,000 projects.