Infrastructure Minister: Ensuring uninterrupted traffic across Georgia during winter is our priority

Georgia’s Infrastructure Minister Revaz Sokhadze said work on the Khulo-Zarzma road project is expected to be fully completed next year, while efforts are also underway to ensure uninterrupted traffic over Goderdzi Pass during the winter.

“Together with the leadership of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, we reviewed the infrastructure projects currently underway in the region. These mainly involved road infrastructure construction. We visited the Khulo-Zarzma section, which is a very important project for our country and the region as a whole,” Sokhadze said.

The minister inspected the ongoing works on the Khulo-Zarzma road section and spoke about the progress of the project. According to him, work has already been completed on 44 kilometers of the 47-kilometer road, while work continues on the remaining three kilometers.

“The problem is the landslide-prone sections, of which there are quite a few, and they require complex engineering solutions. This year, work will be completed on 1,600 meters of the remaining three kilometers. One of the locations is where we are now, where very complex and extensive work is being carried out to secure every meter and ultimately address the problems caused by the landslide zones,” Sokhadze said.

According to the minister, the remaining section of the Khulo-Zarzma road is scheduled to be fully completed next year. One problematic section will remain, for which a separate international tender will be announced to develop an engineering solution.

“One problematic section will remain, for which we will announce a separate international tender for a study so that the appropriate engineering solution can be developed and this problem can be properly addressed,” the minister said.

Sokhadze also spoke about planned measures to ensure traffic over Goderdzi Pass during the winter.

According to him, the Roads Department will begin relevant work to prevent traffic between Akhaltsikhe and Khulo from being disrupted during the winter.

“We agreed that the Roads Department will begin work so that traffic from Akhaltsikhe toward Khulo is no longer cut off during the winter. As you know, traffic over Goderdzi Pass is frequently closed during the winter. We will purchase the necessary equipment and subsequently carry out maintenance during the winter period to ensure that traffic remains open at all times,” Sokhadze said.

According to the minister, ensuring uninterrupted movement on roads during the winter is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Roads Department.

“One of the main priorities of our ministry in terms of the Roads Department will be to ensure that, in most cases, traffic is not closed in any direction in Georgia during the winter. This is very important,” Sokhadze said.