Market research for historic Samgori cable car line’s reconstruction launched

Tbilisi Transport Company has announced a market research tender for the reconstruction and construction of the historic cable car line in the Samgori district, employing a Design-Build procurement method for the preparation of design and cost estimate documentation, as well as construction and installation works.

Speaking at today’s session of the municipal government, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated that the construction of this cable car line will represent a significant step forward in the development of the city’s transport policy.

“Work is beginning on one of the most important projects to improve the public transport network in the capital. Tbilisi Transport Company has already announced a market research tender for the reconstruction and construction of the historic cable car line in the Samgori district (maintaining the existing route), including the preparation of design and cost estimate documentation and construction/installation works using the Design-Build method. Based on the market research findings, the appropriate tender will be prepared and announced without delay. We anticipate that this project could be completed within approximately 18 months to two years,” Mayor Kaladze announced.

According to the Mayor, the cable car line was originally built in 1986 but ceased operations in 2006 due to inadequate maintenance and management.

“Today, the technical condition of the old cable car’s engineering structures and facilities is extremely poor. We conducted the necessary studies and determined that these structures must be demolished. Taking this into account, along with population growth in the Vazisubani settlement, the need to improve access to municipal transport, and the objective of significantly reducing journey times, we decided to construct a new, modern cable car line along the same corridor. This will ensure the transportation of at least three times as many passengers (no fewer than 1,250 passengers per hour) to Samgori metro station in the shortest possible time,” Kakha Kaladze stated.

According to the Mayor, the new cable car will be incorporated into the unified transport network and operate on a schedule similar to that of the metro, serving the public accordingly.

“Given the capital’s topography, the development and construction of cable car lines represents one of the key directions of our transport policy, as we have stated on numerous occasions. Other similar projects will be implemented in stages. These include the construction of cable car lines connecting Sarajishvili with Zghvis Ubani, and Isani with Vazisubani,” the Tbilisi Mayor noted.