Interior Ministry rejects “misinformation” about Rikoti Pass traffic disruption for “several days”
The Ministry noted the reports that drivers allegedly had to wait for several days on the pass were false, as from April 8 up to this day the patrol police officers had ensured an “unobstructed movement” of both light motor and passenger vehicles, as well as trucks, under “special regime”, as established by the Roads Department. Photo via Roads Department of Georgia
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The Interior Ministry of Georgia on Tuesday rejected recent media reports on vehicle traffic disruption on the Rikoti Pass section “for several days” as “misinformation”.
The Ministry noted the reports that drivers allegedly had to wait for several days on the Pass were false, as from April 8 up to this day the patrol police officers had ensured an “unobstructed movement” of both light motor and passenger vehicles, as well as trucks, under “special regime”, as established by the Roads Department.
According to the latest data of the Roads Department of Georgia, as of today the movement of all types of motor vehicles has been completely prohibited on the 114 to the kilometre 194 section of the Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze highway due to a risk of rockfall near the kilometre 147 of the highway.
After the completion of the works [on the Rikoti Pass] and receiving the appropriate recommendations from the specialists regarding road safety, traffic will be restored”, the Department said, adding “intensive” road clearing works have been underway.
The traffic flow for light and passenger vehicles is possible through the Gomi-Sachkhere-Chiatura-Zestaponi road without any restrictions, however, movement of trailers and semi-trailers is restricted.
Construction of the new Rikoti Highway is set to be completed this year, the Roads Department of Georgia said on Monday while rejecting media reports that suggested the work had been delayed from its original deadline of 2022.
Vehicle traffic on Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, was restored on Saturday under a “special regime”, with the recommendation of specialists, the Roads Department of Georgia said.
Giorgi Tsereteli, the Chairman of the Roads Department of Georgia, on Friday said Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, was closed to all types of vehicles due to a risk of a landslide, and added its professionals were working to restore traffic “as soon as possible”.
Rikoti Pass, a crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, will be closed between Thursday and Friday to all types of vehicles due to a risk of landslide, the Roads Department of Georgia said on Thursday.
The Roads Department of Georgia on Wednesday said traffic for trailers through Rikoti Highway, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of the country, would be reopened starting today, with access for light vehicles allowed from Thursday.
Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Tuesday said the landslide risks observed last month on the kilometre 149 section of the Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between the western and eastern parts of the country, had not been caused by the construction works on a new highway through the Pass.
Giorgi Tsereteli, the Chair of the Roads Department of Georgia on Thursday said all sections of Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia, would be safe and all works were being carried out “according to the plan”.