24 August 2026,   20:57
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Surami bypass construction completed - the road to open on August 16

Construction of the second section of the Zemo Osiauri–Chumateteli road [Surami bypass] has been completed and will open to traffic tomorrow, August 16, at 12:00.

The Surami bypass is a key part of the East–West Expressway and was built by the Roads Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The new 6.4 km, four-lane section includes 11 bridges and 5 tunnels. It extends the 13 km Khashuri bypass, bypasses Surami and Chumateleti, and connects to the first tunnel of the Rikoti Pass road. Built to international road safety standards, it features a modern lighting system.

As the Ministry of Infrastructure said, the project will significantly cut travel time, improve safety, and completely divert transit traffic from Surami.

The construction was funded through a World Bank loan and state budget co-financing, with a total cost of GEL 265 million.

The Surami bypass will allow uninterrupted travel on a 230 km expressway from Tbilisi to Samtredia.

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