Construction of the second section of the Zemo Osiauri–Chumateteli road (Surami bypass) has been completed and will open to traffic at 12:00 a.m. on August 16, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia announced.

The Surami bypass is a key part of the East–West Expressway and was built by the Roads Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The new 6.4 km, four-lane section includes 11 bridges and 5 tunnels. It extends the 13 km Khashuri bypass, bypasses Surami and Chumateleti, and connects to the first tunnel of the Rikoti Pass road. Built to international road safety standards, it features a modern lighting system. According to the ministry, the project will significantly cut travel time, improve safety, and completely divert transit traffic from Surami.

The construction was funded through a World Bank loan and state budget co-financing, with a total cost of 265 million GEL. Once opened, the Surami bypass will allow uninterrupted travel on a 230 km expressway from Tbilisi to Samtredia.