The China Railway Tunnel Group on Tuesday completed the boring of a major tunnel in northern Georgia ahead of schedule, significantly boosting the country's connectivity.
Located approximately 2,000 meters above sea level in the southern foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, the Gudauri Tunnel consists of a 9,000-meter main tunnel and emergency tunnels. It serves as an important hub in Georgia's corridor to Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other neighboring countries.
The Chinese company used the largest caliber tunnel boring machine in Georgia's largest single infrastructure project.
With its operation, the tunnel will reduce travel time on the country's main north-south road from the town of Kvesheti to the town of Kobi by 40 minutes and eliminate traffic disruptions caused by avalanches and bad weather, which is expected to boost tourism and trade in northern Georgia.
The Gudauri Tunnel and related projects are part of the construction cooperation between Georgia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Major Chinese-built road tunnel completed in Georgia
