Giorgi Tsibadze, Deputy Chairman of Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, met with representatives of Transportation Company, Patrol Police Department, Security Police Department and Design Companies in order to address the challenges related to transportation of tunnel drilling machine (TBM) from Poti Seaport for construction of 9 km Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel.

All the necessary technical or logistical issues for ensuring safe transportation of TBM were discussed at the meeting. At the same time, specialists have already carried out the testing of bridges necessary for transportation of oversized cargo. Transportation of tunnel drilling machine from Poti Seaport will start in a couple of weeks.

Tunnel construction will be carried out for the first time in Georgia by use of Tunnel Boring Machine –TBM.  TBM is one of the most high-tech tunneling machines. The construction of the tunnel with this method significantly reduces the impact on the environment and is highly safe. TBM, in parallel with the tunnel boring, provides concrete lining of the tunnel, which further increases the safety standard.

Intensive construction works of 23 km long Kvesheti-Kobi road and 9 km tunnel will start this year.

The tunnel, which would be built within the framework of Kvesheti-Kobi road project, will be 9 km long and 15 meters wide, and its analogue will not exist not only in Georgia but also in the region.