The Rikoti Pass project had no analogues in the reality of Georgia, so we boldly call this project the project of the century,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during his speech at the opening ceremony of the 9-km-long Zestaphoni bypass highway.

The Head of Government noted that the Rikoti Pass is recognized as the most critical and challenging section in the international highway development process.

“These projects bring new life to the regions, which is manifested not only in reduced travel time and distance but also in comfortable and safe travel. It also adds to the economic benefits these projects bring to the population of our regions. Therefore, all these projects will contribute to the development of our regions, raising the quality of the population’s well-being.

Rikoti Pass was recognized as the most critical and challenging section of the international highway development process. Considering the importance of the project, engineering solutions and scale, this construction can be called unprecedented. This project has no analogues in the reality of Georgia. Therefore, we boldly call this project the project of the century.

I would like to thank our international partners for supporting the construction of the Rikoti highway. The construction of the Zestaphoni bypass road was carried out with the support of the Asian Development Bank. Accordingly, I would like to express special thanks to the Asian Development Bank and its representative in Georgia.

I thank everyone who worked tirelessly to make this historic project a success. Special thanks to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, to Minister Irakli Karseladze personally, to all employees of the Ministry, to the Department of Highways, to the management, to each employee of the department, thank you for this crucial work, which would not have been successful without your tireless work.

I would also like to thank many Georgian and foreign specialists involved – engineers, builders, geologists, hydrologists, geotechnologists. The contribution of each of these people to the successful implementation of the project is distinctive.

Once again, I would like to congratulate you on the implementation of this very successful project and wish you success in the future”, said the Prime Minister.