Underpinning works underway on two Rustaveli Avenue underpasses, with stone cladding scheduled for all pedestrian subways - Tbilisi City Hall
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, alongside Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani, inspected ongoing rehabilitation works on Rustaveli Avenue today.
Broadcasting live on Facebook, the Mayor reported swift progress on the overhaul, confirming the project remains on schedule to finish by the end of November.
“The works are proceeding at a very active pace. First and foremost, underground infrastructure is being thoroughly modernised, as its severely degraded condition posed acute risks both to transit operations and to the stability of adjacent structures. At this stage, we face no obstacles whatsoever. Works are advancing at a solid pace, with all relevant contractors deployed on site. As promised, the rehabilitation will be completed by the end of November, and everything will be put in proper order,” Kaladze said.
According to the Mayor, the pedestrian underpasses on Rustaveli Avenue—specifically those outside the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the First Classical Gymnasium—are structurally compromised and require urgent reinforcement.
“We have heard a great deal of falsehoods regarding the Rustaveli Avenue overhaul. Those so minded are spreading whatever fabrications they can invent. Therefore, do not believe anyone. Should there be anything to convey, we will always provide comprehensive information to the public, particularly when it comes to such critical infrastructure works and the overhaul of such a vital thoroughfare,” Kaladze stressed.
“As for the pedestrian underpasses, those located in front of both the Opera and the Classical Gymnasium are structurally compromised and require reinforcement works,” he added.
Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani provided additional technical details regarding the project.
“Regarding the two pedestrian subways along the avenue, we received official engineering assessments upon which detailed design works were initiated. Preliminary site preparations have also commenced. Under the design plan, both subways will undergo structural reinforcement to ensure public safety and guarantee long-term operational durability. Furthermore, waterproofing works are underway on the upper surfaces, after which road construction itself will begin. The project also entails cladding all underpasses with natural stone,” Bendeliani noted.
Regarding utility works, Deputy Mayor Bendeliani said utility firms will complete their on-site operations by the end of the month, allowing comprehensive roadworks to begin.
“Georgian Water and Power and Tbilisi Energy will conclude operations on site by the end of this month. Only final switchover works from the old to the new pipeline networks will remain; they will not disrupt surface roadworks. From then on, road construction will move into full gear: first installing drainage along the remaining sections, followed by sub-base preparation and, finally, asphalt paving. Pavement work is proceeding in parallel, with cable trenches being laid out. We have also started laying natural stone paving across the avenue,” Bendeliani added.
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Classes to resume at Tbilisi Public School No. 21 after renovation, new school planned in Misaktsieli
24.09.2026.22:49
An interagency commission held its latest meeting on the construction and rehabilitation of schools. The meeting was chaired by Givi Mikanadze, Minister of Education, Science and Youth, and Revaz Sokhadze, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Education, the commission members discussed schools for which the National Bureau of Forensic Expertise named after Levan Samkharauli issued assessments on the condition of their buildings in September this year. It was noted that, for each such school, the Ministry will request an additional assessment from the Bureau to clarify the condition of the building and will make decisions based on the recommendations received.
Particular attention was paid to Tbilisi Public School No. 21 and Misaktsieli Public School. Regarding School No. 21, according to the additional assessment of the expert report, specific rehabilitation works are required in the building. Once several weeks of work are completed, it will be possible to finish the 2026–2027 academic year in the same building. At the same time, the condition of the school building will be continuously monitored throughout the educational process.
The Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and the Municipal Development Fund will begin the aforementioned works in the coming days. The works will be carried out under the supervision of experts.
As for Misaktsieli Public School, according to the additional assessment of the building’s condition conducted by experts, the commission decided that the educational process cannot continue in the existing building due to the identified damage. Accordingly, the Municipal Development Fund will begin construction of a new school in Misaktsieli.
“The additional assessment of the building’s condition showed that specific rehabilitation works must be carried out at Public School No. 21 to ensure safety. The works will take several weeks. After that, the students will return to the school, where the educational process will continue until the end of the current academic year, with continuous monitoring of the building’s condition. Starting in the summer, full-scale reconstruction works will be carried out at the school, during which the educational process will continue in an alternative building.
“As for Misaktsieli Public School, due to the category of damage to the building, it is impossible to continue the educational process in the existing facility. The Ministry of Education offered the students the option of continuing their studies at an alternative school. At the same time, the Municipal Development Fund will construct a new school in Misaktsieli,” Givi Mikanadze said.
The meeting was attended by Mariam Lashkhi, Chair of the Parliament’s Education, Science and Youth Affairs Committee; Tbilisi Deputy Mayor Giorgi Tkemaladze; Giorgi Murvanidze, Head of the National Bureau of Forensic Expertise named after Levan Samkharauli; Giorgi Shonia, Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund; as well as other representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, the National Bureau of Forensic Expertise named after Levan Samkharauli, and relevant agencies.