Georgia’s iconic Baratashvili Bridge reopens to traffic

Nine months of rehabilitation work to restore one of the most iconic bridges in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi has ended, meaning vehicles can now travel freely along the popular road without any delays.

Baratashvili Bridge – also referred to as the Bridge of Love – has undergone intense restoration to improve the condition of the 40-year-old bridge.

This construction was the first major works on the bridge since it was built in 1966. 

Action to improve the safety and quality of the bridge began in June 2015 following an inspection and report by specialists who studied the condition of the bridge. The report offered several recommendations, including major renovation works.

Renovation works on the bridge started last year. Photo by Tbilisi Mayor's Office. 

The experts said the bridge deck, the hydro isolation systems, barriers and underground pedestrian passages required remedial work.

Tbilisi Mayor’s Office announced a tender, which was won by local company NCC. The company received 1,970,000 GEL ($862, 345/€777,398*) from the Tbilisi city budget to carry out works before the April 30, 2016 deadline. 

Yesterday Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania confirmed NCC had completed the majority of the bridge’s remedial works by March 14.

Tbilisi Mayor Davit Narmania viewed the renovated bridge. Photo by Tbilisi Mayor's Office. 

The only thing that remained to be done was rehabilitating the underground walkways, and this will take about a month, Narmania said.

The bridge, located in the city’s Mtasminda district, was named after famous Georgian romanticism poet Nikoloz Baratashvili.  The railings of the bridge were decorated with bronze figurines of couples in love.