On July 18, in the presence of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, the SG18 project on the Georgia E60 international expressway opened to traffic. The project was delivered by Sinohydro Bureau 16 Co, a subsidiary of POWERCHINA.
In his speech, Prime Minister Gakharia said that the construction of the expressway is of great significance in shortening the distance between the east and west transportation corridors in Georgia, improving transportation efficiency, and driving the country's economic development. It will also directly benefit local people and promote the development of the local economy.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia (L2) inspects the route map of the SG18 project of Georgia E60 international expressway. [Photo/POWERCHINA] |
He praised POWERCHINA for its high-quality and efficient completion of the project, as well as the professionalism that the employees from China and Georgia showed during the COVID-19 epidemic, which ensured the orderly and steady progress of the project.
It is hoped that extensive and in-depth cooperation between POWERCHINA and Georgia will continue, he added.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia shakes hands with POWERCHINA employees. [Photo/POWERCHINA] |
Since the project started construction in March 2016, it has successively overcome problems including five million cubic meters of super-large filling volume, the long-distance transportation of filling materials, and settlement of subgrades in poor geological conditions.
After 52 months, it has successfully fulfilled the contract and presented a completed project to the Georgian government and people.
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An aerial view of the SG18 project of Georgia E60 international expressway. [Photo/POWERCHINA] |
With a total length of 18.5 kilometers, the project is a two-way enclosed high-grade highway with four lanes.
It replaces the previous Georgia E692 international expressway, shortening travel time by between 20 percent and 30 percent, greatly improving existing traffic efficiency, and driving regional economic development.
