The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $250 million loan to support the construction of a strategically important Tbilisi bypass road, which will improve road connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and strengthen Georgia’s role as a regional transport hub.

According to the Asian Development Bank, the project includes the construction of an 18.9-kilometer, four-lane section of the Tbilisi bypass road, which will upgrade an important part of the East-West Highway.

Diverting traffic around the capital will ease congestion in Tbilisi and improve the movement of goods and people. ADB financing will be used for two sections of the Tbilisi bypass road: Lot 4 (Tbilisi Airport-Lochini) and Lot 5 (Lochini-Rustavi). The project also includes the construction and upgrading of access and service roads.

“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. “The Tbilisi bypass road will help fully realize this potential by reducing road congestion and improving freight transport. Through projects like this, we are turning into reality the vision outlined in our partnership strategy with Georgia - to make the country better connected and more competitive,” the statement notes.

According to the same source, the new road will shorten travel times for both local and transit traffic, reduce vehicle operating costs and emissions. The project will increase the reliability of transport, export, and tourism sector operations, while also reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries from traffic accidents.

“The project will improve the efficiency of road transport along the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Corridor 2, which connects Central Asia with Europe and is an important trade route. This will help attract investment to Georgia and integrate the country into regional and global markets.

ADB assisted the Government of Georgia in assessing the project’s technical, economic, financial, environmental, and social sustainability. This loan adds to the more than $2.3 billion in support that ADB has provided for the development of Georgia’s road network, which includes sections of the East-West Highway, the Kobuleti and Batumi bypass roads, the Kvesheti-Kobi highway, and the Batumi-Sarpi road.

ADB has been supporting Georgia since 2007 and is one of the country’s largest multilateral development partners. Since joining, ADB has provided nearly $6 billion in loans, grants, and technical assistance to Georgia. ADB’s five-year partnership strategy with Georgia aims to help the country develop into a green and inclusive regional gateway, support investment in the public and private sectors, reforms, knowledge deepening, climate-resilient infrastructure, and regional integration.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank that supports sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic growth in Asia and the Pacific. Working with member countries and partners to address complex challenges, ADB relies on innovative financial instruments and strategic partnerships to transform people’s lives, create quality infrastructure, and protect our planet. Founded in 1966, the organization is owned by 69 member countries, 50 of which are from the region,” the information states.