Chinese company to build 13km section of Kvesheti-Kobi road in Georgia
The construction of a two-lane, 22.7 km long asphalt-concrete road, six bridges and five tunnels is planned on Kvesheti-Kobi road. Screenshot from video of Kvesheti-Kobi road project published by the Roads Department of Georgia.
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Chinese company China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co will build a new 13 km-long Kvesheti-Kobi road in Georgia, announces the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.
China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co and Ministry of Infrastructure signed the agreement today.
The construction of a two-lane, 22.7 km long asphalt-concrete road, six bridges and five tunnels is planned on Kvesheti-Kobi road, including the construction of one nine km tunnel. The tunnel starts at Tskere village and ends at Kobi village, mentioned tunnel will pass under Jvari pass.
China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co and Ministry of Infrastructure signed the agreement today. Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure.
The total cost of the project is 1.2 billion GEL (about $0.41b/€0.37b).
China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co will build only 13 km section of 22.7 km long Kvesheti-Kobi road.
Kvesheti-Kobi section is a part of the North-South Road Corridor.
The road passes through difficult terrain and is subject to heavy snowfall in the winter period. Due to avalanche hazards and adverse weather, traffic is often closed in winter and transit traffic is suspended.
The construction of a new road and 9-km tunnel will address these issues, and unhindered transit traffic will be possible at any time of the year.
The width of the 9-km long Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel will be 15m.
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A 500m arch bridge will be constructed on Kvesheti-Kobi road, the arch of which will be an unprecedented 300 m in length.
See rendering of the Kvesheti-Kobi road project.
Once the project is completed, distance between Kvesheti and Kobi will be reduced by 12 km instead of existing 35 km road, and travel time will be reduced to 20 minutes instead of 1 hour.
Kvesheti-Kobi road goes along the riverbed of Tetri Aragvi along 7-km section, passes through Arakveti village, then Serpentine starts from Kvemo Mleta. The road passes through Gudauri, crosses Jvari pass and ends at Kobi village; In total, the project will benefit nine villages.
Construction is expected to start at the end of 2019 and will be completed in 2023.