ADB Approves $250 Million Loan for Tbilisi Bypass Road Project
By Messenger Staff
Friday, July 31, 2026
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million loan to finance the construction of a key section of Georgia's Tbilisi bypass road, aimed at reducing congestion in the capital and improving the country's role as a regional transport hub.
The project includes an 18.9-kilometer, four-lane road section that will become part of the East-West Highway corridor. The ADB funding will support construction of two sections: the Tbilisi Airport-Lochini and Lochini-Rustavi segments, as well as related access and service roads.
ADB said the bypass will redirect transit traffic away from central Tbilisi, improving the movement of goods and passengers, reducing travel times, lowering transport costs and emissions, and improving road safety.
"Georgia's location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia gives it significant potential to become a regional transport hub," said Leslie Behrman Lam, Director of ADB's Resident Mission in Georgia. She said the project would help strengthen freight connections and improve the country's competitiveness.
The new road will also improve transport along the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 2, a trade route linking Central Asia with Europe, and is expected to support investment, exports, and tourism.
ADB said it has already provided more than $2.3 billion for Georgia's road infrastructure, including major highway and bypass projects. Since beginning operations in Georgia in 2007, the bank has provided nearly $6 billion in loans, grants, and technical assistance.
The project is part of ADB's broader partnership strategy with Georgia, which focuses on improving connectivity, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure, encouraging investment, and strengthening regional integration.
