Arch bridge under construction on strategic Kvesheti–Kobi highway
“Construction is advancing rapidly on an unprecedented arch bridge along the new Kvesheti–Kobi highway, featuring a span exceeding 400 metres and towering 166 metres above the valley floor,” the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure has announced.
With a central arch length of 300 metres, the engineering landmark represents the largest structure of its kind in Georgia.
According to the Ministry, the arch bridge stands as one of the project’s most complex engineering challenges. The connection of the two arch segments is set for late October, with the installation of the bridge piers and upper deck to follow.
“The Kvesheti–Kobi project encompasses the construction of a 23-kilometre, two-lane asphalt-concrete highway, five bridges, and five tunnels, as well as the rehabilitation of an existing bridge. Active construction is underway on four of the five new bridges, while one structure has been fully completed.
Excavation works for the main 9-kilometre tunnel and its parallel evacuation tunnel are complete. Crews have installed ventilation slabs in the main tunnel and completed the reinforced concrete lining in the emergency tunnel, where electromechanical installation works are now progressing. Excavation and concrete lining for the additional 1.5-kilometre and 500-metre tunnels have also concluded,” the Ministry press service stated.
The new bypass route will eliminate severe winter transit disruptions, dramatically improving road safety and providing year-round access to vital public services for nearly a dozen remote mountain villages across the Khada Valley.
Co-financed by the Georgian state budget, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the total investment value of the infrastructure scheme stands at 1.2 billion lari.
Other News
Applications now open for BARTA 2026
05.10.2026.19:37
The Best Annual Report and Transparency Award (BARTA) competition is now open for applications.
Over its seven-year history, BARTA has become an important part of Georgia's corporate sector. The competition aims to improve the quality of corporate reporting and transparency among Georgian companies. This year, the competition is once again organized by the National Bank of Georgia, the State Insurance Supervision Service of Georgia, the Service for Accounting, Reporting and Auditing Supervision, and the Foundation of Beneficiaries of Accounting Reform, with the support of the World Bank and the Business Association of Georgia.
Applications are open from today until November 10, 2026.
As in previous years, the BARTA competition is open to first-category companies and groups, as well as all Public Interest Entities (PIEs). All companies listed on the stock exchange will automatically be included in the evaluation, provided they meet the eligibility criteria, including having received an unqualified audit opinion. Other Public Interest Entities, including companies admitted to trading, will be required to submit their own applications.
The winners across eight award categories will be announced at the award ceremony in February 2027. BARTA will assess company reports in four main categories: Large Financial Companies, Large Non-Financial Companies, Small and Medium Financial Companies, and Small and Medium Non-Financial Companies. For the first time this year, the small and medium-sized company categories have been divided into financial and non-financial categories, with a separate winner selected in each. In addition, the competition will recognize the Best Sustainability Report among participating companies.
For the first time, BARTA is also introducing the State-Owned Enterprises Transparency and Reporting Award, which will recognize the state-owned enterprise demonstrating the highest standards of corporate governance and reporting. BARTA is also introducing a special Jury's Choice Award, to be determined by the jury.
This award gives jury members the flexibility to recognize a company that has demonstrated significant achievements, innovation, substantial progress, or a strong commitment to transparency in 2026.
BARTA will also recognize the Best First-Time Participant. This award acknowledges and rewards a company entering the BARTA competition for the first time that demonstrates high reporting standards in its very first year of participation.
BARTA was established in 2019 as part of the European Union and World Bank's joint Financial Inclusion and Accountability Project.
BARTA 2026 is supported by the World Bank's Accounting, Auditing and Sustainability Reporting (EAASURE) regional program, implemented by the Centre for Financial Reporting Reform (CFRR).