Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says large-scale rehabilitation works are underway on Rustaveli Avenue, with the project causing significant traffic disruption.

In a video address posted on social media, Kaladze said the project goes far beyond replacing the asphalt surface, with decades-old underground utilities and infrastructure also being fully rehabilitated.

“The work we are carrying out is large-scale and fundamental. We are not limiting ourselves to replacing the asphalt surface; we are fully upgrading the deteriorated underground utilities and infrastructure that have remained untouched for decades,” Kaladze said.

The mayor acknowledged that the rehabilitation is causing considerable inconvenience, particularly for residents and businesses in the surrounding area, including traffic disruptions, noise, dust and temporary restrictions on utilities.

He warned that September would be an especially difficult period for traffic in the capital as residents return to the city and the school year begins.

“The most difficult period is still ahead of us. Starting in September, a large number of citizens will return to the city, the academic year will begin and traffic will increase significantly. I will say it directly: Tbilisi will have a difficult period in terms of traffic for approximately two months,” Kaladze said.

According to the mayor, the city administration is working to improve alternative traffic routes in order to reduce congestion as much as possible.

Kaladze said the full rehabilitation project is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.

He added that vehicle traffic is expected to resume by September 10 on the section between the intersection with Chovelidze Street and the so-called Elbakidze Descent, once work on the lower layers of the roadway is completed.

Meanwhile, other works will continue around the clock. Kaladze said adverse weather remains the main factor that could hinder the construction process, although work continued even during periods of heavy rain in Tbilisi.

The mayor thanked employees of the contractor companies for carrying out the works and acknowledged the responsibility involved in working on the capital’s main avenue.

Kaladze also thanked residents across the country for supporting the project.