Swollen river damages bridge under highway in Georgia’s west

A highway bridge under construction has damaged by a swollen river in the western Imereti region of Georgia, with no injuries reported in the accident, the Roads Department said on Wednesday.

River Rioni damaged a pier of a bridge in the first section of the Samtredia-Grigoleti road, under the E60 highway, with the state body noting professionals would study the damage after water level receded.

The damage was observed as the construction of the first 11.5-kilometre section of the road is in the final stage. The section runs through the city of Samtredia, as well as villages of Samtredia and Abasha municipalities - Tolebi, Gormaghala, Pirveli Maisi and Gautskinari. 

Photo: Roads Department

The construction project will "increase road capacity, improve road safety, increase turnover of transit goods and reduce travel time", the body said about the project.

It involves construction of a four-lane asphalt-concrete road, eight bridge crossings and 27 structures, and is financed with ₾73 million (27.71 mln) from the state budget.