In the 9 km long tunnel of Kvesheti-Kobi, the works are being carried out at a high pace already at a depth of 3042 meters. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, it is also being fenced. Approximately 12-15 meters of excavation work is completed per day, and we hope that the geological conditions will allow us to maintain the current tunnel construction schedule", said the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, Irakli Karseladze, after inspecting the construction works of the Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel.

The construction works of the 9 km long and 15 meter diameter continuous tunnel in the rocks of Kvesheti-Kobi started in May 2021. Tunneling is done with a TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) specially made for the project. At this stage, the works in the main tunnel are already 3 km and 42 meters deep, and in the evacuation tunnel 3 km and 300 meters deep.

"The device is high-tech and all its important components are managed through sensors from the control panel. Safety is ensured both during the evacuation process and is provided within the framework of the project - in the form of a 9 km evacuation tunnel, ventilation, fire extinguishing, notification systems and many other components. It can be said that we will have a unique and at the same time an extremely safe tunnel equipped with all the necessary systems," Irakli Karseladze noted.

Within the framework of the Kvesheti-Kobi project, a total of 23 km of 2-lane asphalt-concrete road, 5 bridges and 5 tunnels will be built. Among them, a 9 km long and 15 m diameter tunnel, which is being drilled in rocky rocks, will be the largest in Georgia, and one of the unique in the world. The new 23 km road will reduce the distance by 11 km, and the road will take 15 minutes instead of 1 hour. About 70% of the road will have an additional lane. A 5 km access road to Gudauri will also be built.

In addition, the project envisages small infrastructural projects based on the needs of the population, including the creation of a new transport network by the construction of local roads and the renovation of existing old rural roads, and the construction of a tourist center.

The minister also spoke about the historical significance of the project and noted that the Kvesheti-Kobi project is the answer to all the challenges related to the existing road - it is the long-term closure of the road due to bad weather and the restriction of access to basic needs of the villages. Transit transport will no longer pass through the resort of Gudauri, which, on the one hand, will relieve the resort of traffic, and on the other hand, will make transit traffic much safer.

The total cost of the Kvesheti-Kobi new road project is 1.2 billion GEL. The construction is carried out by the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, with the financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The project is planned to be completed by 2024.