Infrastructure Minister: “intensive” slope stabilisation works on Rikoti Pass section

Georgian Infrastructure Minister Irakli Karseladze on Wednesday said slope stabilisation works were ongoing at the kilometre 149 section of Rikoti Pass, a major crossing between eastern and western parts of Georgia.

There are intensive works on the slope near the [section], where a potential landslide centre was discovered in 2023. Relevant studies were conducted, an engineering solution was prepared, a detour was arranged, and a tender identified a qualified contractor who is currently performing a very large-scale work”, Karseladze said.

The Minister added excavation of earth masses was currently underway, which involved developing the slope with a stairway system.

Once this is done, the slope will be strengthened as per project requirements. Following the completion of the slope stabilisation work, a new road will be constructed, which will be used for traffic diversion. Construction of bridges and other infrastructure for the road will then commence on the existing one”, he said.

Karseladze added two of the three tunnels on the Chumateleti-Khevi section of the project had already been cut and 11 of 17 bridges built.

Work is underway on two bridges. [In addition] a 1,800-metre-long tunnel parallel to the historical tunnel of Rikoti has been cut, where the final works of drainage and engineering systems are underway”, he said.

The Ministry of Infrastructure said the Chumateleti-Khevi section was geologically the most challenging part of the Pass, where a major effort was on stabilisation of the slopes with “appropriate design and engineering solutions”.