Temporary traffic scheme to be introduced around Rustaveli Avenue from September 1

Tbilisi Municipality has developed a temporary traffic scheme in connection with the ongoing rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue. The new scheme will come into effect on September 1.

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze spoke about the importance of the alternative traffic arrangements on streets surrounding the capital’s main avenue in a video address released today.

Under the new scheme, two-way traffic will be introduced on several streets. Two main routes have also been developed to provide access to the Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium.

Kaladze said the rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue would become a project the entire city could be proud of, but asked residents to be patient with the inconvenience caused by the works.

“Several days ago, I spoke about how important this project is for our city, as well as about Rustaveli Avenue — its past, present and future, and the difficult condition and problems with underground infrastructure. The first thing being done is the replacement of underground utilities, which inevitably causes significant inconvenience, particularly in terms of traffic, as well as noise and dust affecting nearby residents.

“However, work on this scale simply cannot be carried out any other way. Therefore, my request is that we all be patient until the end of November. Believe me, once the rehabilitation is complete, it will be the best project, and we will all be proud of the work that has been done,” Kaladze said.

According to the mayor, information about the temporary traffic scheme is particularly important for drivers. Therefore, a video explaining the changes will be distributed not only on social media but also on television to ensure that the wider public is fully informed.

Under the temporary scheme, from September 1:

• Two-way traffic will be permitted on Pavle Ingorokva Street.
• Two-way traffic will also be allowed on a section of April 9 Street, between the intersections with Ingorokva and Zurab Zhvania streets.
• Two-way traffic will be permitted on part of Zhvania Street, from the April 9 Street intersection to the intersection with Zakaria Chichinadze Street. Traffic from there to the intersection with Besiki Street will remain one-way.
• The section of Besiki Street between Zhvania and Shevchenko streets will be one-way.
• Shevchenko Street will also have one-way traffic from Besiki Street toward Chichinadze Street.
• Traffic on Lermontov Street will remain one-way, but the direction will change. Drivers will be able to reach Shalva Dadiani Street from Kikodze and Machabeli streets via Lermontov Street.

Two main routes will provide access to the Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium. Drivers coming from Freedom Square will be able to use Leonidze and Ingorokva streets to reach April 9 Street, then turn left onto Zhvania Street and continue toward Besiki and Shevchenko streets.

Alternatively, drivers coming from Chonkadze or Polikarp Kakabadze streets will be able to reach Mtatsminda Street and then connect to Besiki and Shevchenko streets via Arsena Street.

Drivers will be able to return from Shevchenko Street by turning left and using Zhvania, April 9 and Ingorokva streets, then connecting via Leonidze and Kikodze streets to Lermontov and Dadiani streets, as well as Freedom Square.

Access to the upper streets of Mtatsminda will be possible from April 9 Street via Arsena Street.

The information was released by the press service of Tbilisi City Hall.