Georgia opens section of international transit corridor to Azerbaijan

Georgia has inaugurated a 35-kilometer segment of the new Kakheti highway, an 85-kilometer international transit route that connects the country with Azerbaijan. This new four-lane road bypasses four densely populated towns—Vaziani, Sartichala, Ninotsminda, and Sagarejo— reducing local traffic congestion, halving travel times, and tripling the road’s traffic capacity.

At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized the significance of the project, calling it a “major step forward” in Georgia’s infrastructure development. “This new highway not only improves mobility and road safety but also enhances Georgia’s strategic position as a vital bridge between Europe and Asia,” he said.

With the opening of this section, travel from Tbilisi to Telavi will be cut to one hour and 20 minutes once the entire project is completed, the PM said.

Kobakhidze also noted that the development of key infrastructure like the Kakheti highway was vital for both local and international stability. “These projects are essential for strengthening Georgia’s role as a secure and reliable transit corridor,” he said, stressing the country’s potential to serve as a “key trade route” between East and West.