Tbilisi mayor announces opening of central avenue to transport

Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze on Wednesday announced the opening of the central Ketevan Tsamebuli Avenue in Tbilisi both to private vehicles and public transport starting next week, after nearly nine months of renovation work on the site. 

Speaking at a Tbilisi city hall meeting, he said the section of the avenue from Avlabari Square to Lech Kaczyński Street had been “fully renovated”, including its underground communication systems, and would open for traffic on Monday.

Kaladze added the project - which cost over $2 million - had also included setting up lanes for public transport and bus stops, as well as landscaping works. 

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Special crossing points have been made for pedestrians for their safety, and existing infrastructure on the avenue has been completely adapted for people with disabilities. Now the vestibule of the Avlabari metro station is being renovated, which is the final stage of the project”, said the mayor. 

Tbilisi mayor on Wednesday announced the setting up of a new recreational zone. Photo: Tbilisi city hall press office. 

In his comments on ongoing renovation work on Melikishvili Avenue, another major transport artery in the city, Kaladze said the work was reaching its end, with updates to the underground communication system, arrangement of sidewalks and greening activities in progress. 

The renovation of Melikishvili Avenue kicked off in June, with the municipality allocating more than $2 million for the project. 

Kaladze also said a new recreational zone would be set up in downtown Saburtalo district on a space of 1,700 square metres to ensure more green spaces in the capital, with the project cost estimated at ₾250,000 ($91,000).