2018-06-25
"A very important project for the country's infrastructural development was finalized today. We are opening one of the most important sections of the East-West Highway, which is also a constituent part of the Silk Road. The construction of the second, 18-km section of the Kobuleti Bypass is finalized. From now on, transit traffic will switch from Kobuleti's seashore to this new road. This 32-km highway has two tunnels and 15 bridges, including Georgia's longest bridge, almost 1,200 meters in length," the Prime Minister of Georgia stated during the opening ceremony of the Kobuleti Highway's second section.
The new 18-km road will be put into operation today.
The Prime Minister thanked the Asian Development Bank for financial support and the project's contractor company and construction workers. According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the timely completion of work should be credited to these efforts.
"Yu know how problematic for the population and tourism was the road toward the Sarpi border and the Batumi and Poti Ports, passing through the tourism and residential areas. From now on, we have a totally different reality in this area. This road will increase transit transport traffic and shorten the travel time from Tbilisi to Batumi at least by 30 minutes, also cutting transport-related costs and negative environmental impact," the Head of Government said in his speech.
According to the Prime Minister, it is important that Adjara welcomes this year's tourist season with further improved infrastructure, ready to accept a larger flow of visitors. Mamuka Bakhtadze pointed out that tourism potential must be used maximally, and that the development of tourism must be supported.
"It is very important to us that this road will connect many villages to the main highway, which will precondition more inclusive growth. Most importantly, besides the seashore, the tourism potential of Adjara's villages must be utilized, especially in the region's mountainous areas," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
The Head of Government emphasized that it is important to complete the modernization of the East-West Highway, so that it may meet international standards and create necessary conditions for growing transit transportation.
"We need a transport infrastructure that makes a significant, great contribution to the growth of the country's GDP," the Head of Government said.
In his speech, the Prime Minister underscored the country's economic and other activities.
"Firstly, we must single out the liberal tax policy, safety measures ensured by the Patrol Police, the condition of highways and roads, and the development of other types of infrastructure. As a result of these activities, the shortest route passing through Georgia, which connects Europe and Asia, has become even more attractive to international freight companies," the Prime Minister stated.
According to Mamuka Bakhtadze, the amounts saved thanks the project will be used to improve other important infrastructure in the region.
"Once again, I would like to thank everyone involved in this project. This project clearly demonstrates that, through joint efforts, projects are always completed successfully and timely. I would like to add that the amounts saved thanks to this project will be used to install streetlights along this road and to pave a road (about 8 km) in Adjara's mountainous areas. It is a clear example of how, along with roads of national importance, other infrastructural work must be done to benefit the growth of inclusive economy," the Head of Government underlined.
The construction of the first section of the Kobuleti Bypass was completed in 2014, and the combined length of sections one and two makes up 31.7 kilometers, enough fully to relieve Kobuleti's seashore from transit traffic.
The event was attended by Georgian Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Maya Tskitishvili, Head of the Government of Adjara Zurab Pataradze, ADB Executive Director Scott Dawson, and ADB's Country Director for Georgia Yesim Elhan-Kayalar.
Prime Minister's Press Office