When Will the Construction of the New Lars Road be Completed?

The new Lars road and tunnel are being constructed to bypass the most difficult section of the existing road, which is typically closed in winter.

The construction of the new Lars road and tunnel, crucial for Armenia's land freight transportation, is expected to be completed in 2024, according to Giorgi Tsereteli, head of the Roads Department of Georgia, in an interview with Forbes Infrastructure.

This project concerns the most challenging and dangerous section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars highway, specifically the Kobi-Gudauri stretch, which is being avoided by the construction of the Kvesheti-Kobi bypass road.

The new road is planned to be 22.7 kilometers long, featuring six bridges and five tunnels, including a 9-kilometer tunnel crossing the Khach mountain pass. The project is considered one of the most complex engineering structures in Europe.

The road construction was initially scheduled for completion in 2022; however, the deadlines were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the new road will resolve logistical issues associated with the Upper Lars border crossing and ensure seamless transport connectivity with the Russian Federation.