2020 has been a year full of challenges, but in a meantime a successful year when despite of all the obstacles, the Roads Department managed to overrun the budget and compete all the projects of significant meaning for the country. Kutaisi bypass road has been one the projects of crucial importance, where a two-lane traffic has been opened on Dec 29 of 2020.

“Regardless of the global pandemic, 2020 turned out to be a special year. Even before the pandemic we have announced opening of 70km long highways, which has been fulfilled. In particular, on the 40km long Kutaisi bypass road, yesterday, additional 12km long has been added to 19km section opened in the summer. And the complete usage of the 4-lane road will be permissible gradually, within upcoming weeks,” said Irakli Karseladze, First Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Chairman of Roads Department. 

At this stage, there is a 10 km section where the final works are underway and in terms of road safety there is 2-lane traffic, however in a few weeks the traffic will fully become 4-lane here as well. Drivers can already detour Kutaisi while using the East-West corridor and consequently halve the travel time and also unload the city of Kutaisi.

“Hence, the 13 km Khashuri bypass road, the Kutaisi bypass road and the 14 km long Japana-Lanchkhuti section were opened during 2020. Due to these, from January 2021, travel time from Tbilisi to Batumi will be reduced by 1 hour and will take 4 hours instead of previous 5 hours,” said Irakli Karseladze.