New Rikoti Tunnel Opens, Enhancing East-West Connectivity in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The construction of a new tunnel on the Rikoti Pass, a crucial segment connecting the eastern and western parts of Georgia, has been completed, marking a significant milestone in the country's infrastructure development. The newly finished tunnel, which is 1,800 meters long, is now the longest among all existing and under-construction tunnels on the Rikoti Pass road. As of August 12, traffic has been officially redirected through the new tunnel, according to Irakli Karseladze, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, who inspected the site.
The new tunnel, which runs parallel to the historical Rikoti tunnel, is fully equipped with state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical road safety systems. "The tunnel is outfitted with ventilation, direct connections, notification systems, and more," Karseladze said. He also highlighted that the necessary infrastructure for managing these systems is being developed. Notably, the two parallel tunnels will be connected by three evacuation exits, including one large enough for vehicles, ensuring maximum safety.
With the new tunnel now operational, rehabilitation work will begin on the old Rikoti tunnel. The planned renovations include resurfacing the road, replacing lighting systems, and installing essential road safety features.
Minister Karseladze also provided an update on the ongoing construction work along the Rikoti expressway. He noted that the Shorapani-Argveta section is nearing completion, and significant progress is being made on the Chumateleti-Khevi section. "The work is progressing well, particularly on some challenging slopes, and we are preparing to start paving soon. The completion of these projects will signify the full construction of the Rikoti section," Karseladze added.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, 36 kilometers of the new high-speed Rikoti road, including 77 bridges and 43 tunnels, are already in use. The entire project will eventually feature a 52-kilometer, 4-lane expressway with 51 tunnels and 97 bridges. Of these, 50 tunnels and 89 bridges have already been constructed. The new road is designed to meet all modern road safety standards, including an advanced lighting system.
