The Mtkvari River Highway

The University of Georgia

Project idea

As is well known, the number of vehicles, especially private cars, is increasing rapidly across Georgia. However, particular attention should be paid to the fact that this growth is most prominently observed in Tbilisi. According to recent data, the number of cars in the capital alone has exceeded 600,000. All these have led to the unfortunate reality we face today—where hourly traffic delays, congestion, and lateness have become part of people’s daily lives. This sharp increase in population drives up demand for housing and puts significant pressure on infrastructure, leading to accelerated urban development, including ongoing construction of commercial spaces and residential complexes, as well as expansion of recreational and public areas. These developments further incentivize people to leave the regions. Naturally, this contributes to the growing number of city residents and the rising rate of internal migration.

Project description

In response to the issues outlined above, a bold yet strategically sound idea has emerged: the creation of a highway line that would help free the banks of the Mtkvari River from excessive vehicular traffic and facilitate not only movement within Tbilisi but also intercity transportation.
The central concept of the highway is that it would be constructed beneath the riverbed of the Mtkvari, providing an uninterrupted connection between the Ortachala and Zahesi road systems. The Mtkvari River is not only the geographical heart of Tbilisi but has also historically served as one of the city’s most important economic and infrastructural elements. For many years, the areas along the river served as a key trade route, leading to the active development of the riverbanks. Even today, a closer look reveals that many of Tbilisi’s most significant sites—industrial facilities, markets, business centers, commercial establishments, and recreational and entertainment zones—are located along the river.
It is also worth noting that, aside from some minor technical challenges, the construction of a highway beneath the Mtkvari would require minimal intervention in the surrounding area and would not damage the existing city infrastructure. The river’s continuous flow through the entire city provides ideal conditions for the creation of a high-speed roadway, enabling uninterrupted movement between cities.
In addition to easing the traffic burden on the riverbanks caused by private vehicles, the underwater high-speed route would lay the groundwork for the development and revitalization of currently degraded and underdeveloped adjacent areas. It would promote the expansion of green spaces and the creation of pedestrian-friendly recreational zones designed for comfort and relaxation. Moreover, it would improve public access to the river itself.

Technical information

The present documentation includes aerial photographs and topographic maps of the project area. Additionally, a traffic direction map is provided. The expressway begins in Ortachala, on Gia Gulas Street, and ends at the junction with the Tbilisi–Senaki–Leselidze highway.
At the starting point lies the “Ortachala” hydroelectric power station (HPP), which does not pose an obstacle to the implementation of the project, as the road bypasses the plant and begins at a distance from it. At the terminal point is the Upper Avchala HPP, which the expressway also skirts without interference.
During the site observation process, several minor technical challenges were identified. One of the key concerns is the large number of bridges crossing the Mtkvari River, which requires extreme caution when excavating the tunnel to avoid any deformation of their foundations. The relevant bridges include: Metekhi Bridge, Baratashvili Bridge, Saarbrücken Bridge, Galaktion Tabidze Bridge, Queen Tamar Bridge, Vakhtang Bagrationi Bridge, Shalikashvili Bridge, Giorgi Mindeli Bridge, and the Bridge of Heroic Georgian Artillerymen, as well as a railway bridge.
In addition, it is important to consider the fact that existing metro lines cross the Mtkvari River underground — specifically, the line connecting the “Tsereteli–Technical University” and “Liberty Square–Avlabari” metro stations. Consequently, the expressway must be carefully designed to avoid intersecting with these metro lines. One viable solution proposed in the project is to temporarily bring the expressway above ground in areas adjacent to the metro crossings, and then return it underground — beneath the riverbed — once the sensitive zones have been safely bypassed. Beyond the abovementioned challenges, the project will include the construction of emergency exits and necessary equipment for handling critical situations.
Regarding tunnel construction materials, the project proposes the use of environmentally friendly, easy-to-install, and time-efficient material — GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). As its name suggests, GRP consists of a polymer matrix reinforced with glass fibers.
GRP is widely used in water supply, drainage systems, and industrial piping. One of its key advantages is its excellent resistance to corrosion, eliminating the need for additional insulation. Moreover, GRP is significantly lighter than concrete or metal, which dramatically reduces transportation and installation costs.