A large-scale reconstruction of one of the most difficult sections of the road leading to the Russian border is underway in the Stepantsminda townlet of Georgia. The Stepantsminda-Gveleti section will actually be rebuilt from scratch, rather than simply repairing the existing highway, Georgia Online reports.

The key element of this project will be a two-kilometer bridge, the longest in Georgia. It will be laid through complex mountainous terrain and will connect Stepantsminda with the new Darial Tunnel area.

The existing road is seriously damaged and no longer meets the requirements of a modern transit highway. Its condition is especially important for this route, since one of the main land routes connecting Armenia with Russia passes through Georgian territory. The condition of this road during the winter directly affects both transit freight and the traveling of the local population.

The cost of this project is 215.5 million laris, or about $82 million. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2027.

The new infrastructure should increase safety and ensure more stable traffic on this road section throughout the year.

The significance of this project for regional transit is even greater. This route provides Armenia with a land outlet to Russia, so the condition of the northern direction is of direct importance for Armenian-Russian freight transportation. Any restrictions on difficult sections of the road can lead to traffic delays and create problems for the entire transport corridor.

The reconstruction of the Stepantsminda-Gveleti road section is part of a larger modernization of the northern direction. New tunnels, bridges, and roads bypassing the most dangerous sections are already being built in this region, gradually transforming the old mountain highway into a modern transport corridor.

After the completion of this project, the road to the Darial Gorge should become considerably safer and more reliable.

At the same time, the two-kilometer bridge will become one of the main engineering facilities of Georgia’s new transport infrastructure and an important element of the route providing Armenia with access to the Russian border.