"By 2024, we will have built modern 200 km highways, which will create a completely different reality and connect us with all our trade partners," Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia said in her speech in the parliament.
In Tskitishvili's words, a significant portion of the 2021 budget will be spent on the construction of international highways. She also stressed that international highways contribute to rapid regional development, as they mean more tourists visiting the region, more investments, and employment opportunities.
"Precisely for this reason, despite the pandemic, we refused to ax any systematic infrastructure project. Furthermore, to accelerate the development of our economy, we are launching a new large-scale project, which is the construction of Tbilisi-Sagarejo 35 km highway," Tskitishvili said.
"As the Tbilisi-Sagarejo highway is a state-funded project rather than funded by international donors, Georgian companies will be provided with the opportunity to get involved in Tbilisi-Sagarejo highway tenders," she stressed.
A tender for the construction of the Tbilisi-Sagarejo highway is set to be declared this year.
The project has also come to the attention of Azerbaijan's media outlets. Building the road falls within both countries' interests, as it is beneficial for the Azerbaijani-Georgia transit corridor. This road is of international significance, as, in addition to being the main road of Tbilisi and Kakheti, it functions as a transit corridor between the northern and western regions of Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The renovation of the old road and the construction of the new highway are both envisaged in the project.
The construction of the Tbilisi-Sagarejo section was funded by the World Bank, with the project being drawn up by Australian and American reputable companies.
It is also noteworthy that a new road that was set to be built from the city of Rustavi to the Red Bridge customs checkpoint on the Azerbaijani border was delayed until 2023.