The construction of the new tunnel connecting the main east and west of the very important Rikoti has been completed. Therefore, the transport traffic in the said tunnel will be switched today, - the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Irakli Karseladze said while inspecting the new tunnel of Rikoti.

According to the information of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the construction of a new 1800 m long tunnel was completed on the Rikoti pass section of the East-West highway, parallel to the historical Rikoti tunnel, and traffic was opened from today. The new 1800 m tunnel is the longest among the existing and under construction tunnels on the Ricoti Pass road.

According to Irakli Karseladze, the new tunnel is fully equipped with all mechanical and electrical road safety systems.

"Of course, with ventilation, direct connections, notification systems. Also, the construction of the necessary infrastructure for the management of these systems is underway. It is also important that two parallel tunnels will be connected to each other by three evacuation exits, including one car exit. It can be safely said that the longest tunnels in Georgia will be equipped with all the necessary road safety systems" - noted Irakli Karseladze.

According to the minister, from today, road transport will run through the new tunnel, and rehabilitation works will begin in the old tunnel. In the old tunnel, the road surface will be renewed, the lamps will be replaced, and necessary road safety systems will be installed.

Irakli Karseladze also spoke about the remaining works on the Ricoti expressway, which is continuing intensively.

"The construction of the Shorapani-Argveta section is in the final stage, and intensive work is being done on the Chumateleti-Khevi section. Processing of some large slopes is already in the final stage. Of course, the challenge is on the slippery section, where a new road will be laid, on which the traffic will switch. The works will continue and, taking into account the climatic conditions, the paving will also begin. Accordingly, it can be said that the construction of the section of Rikoti will be completed with this," the minister noted.

According to the information of the Ministry, currently, road transport is already using 36 km of the new high-speed road of Rikoti, which includes 77 bridges and 43 tunnels. A 4-lane expressway with a total length of 52 km, 51 tunnels and 97 bridges are being built at Ricoti Pass. 50 tunnels out of 51 tunnels and 89 bridges out of 97 bridges have already been built. The new road takes into account all modern road safety standards, including the lighting system.