HERNANDEZ, WILBERT G.

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Country: Georgia

Roadways clearly show to us how good the economy in a certain country is running. Knowing the mode of transportation and the state of highways in a country can be very useful, to some extent, in learning more of the country’s background.

While researching the highways in the country assigned to me, I made it a point to also research and study its history, culture and politics. These things may help us get a better understanding of why and how their roadways are built.

The following are the pictures I have found in the internet upon searching the highways in the country Georgia.

1. Abano Pass

Abano Pass is a high mountain pass located in the region of Tusheti, Georgia, in the central part of the Great Caucasus Mountains, at an elevation of 2,850 meters (9,350 ft.) above the sea level. Abano Pass is the highest drivable mountain pass in the Caucasus. The pass is drivable only by 4x4 cars.

The road to reach the pass starts in Pshaveli and ends in Omalo. It has a length of 84.5km, but the expected driving time is over than 12 hours. The pass links the Georgian regions of Kakheti (south) and Tusheti (north). Tusheti is the most pristine and remote mountain region of Georgia at 900-4800 meters above sea level. It is covered with ravines and two main river valleys, Gometseri Alazani and Pirikiti Alazani.

The road over the pass was built in 1978, and is only open during the summer months from around May until to October, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. Avalanches and heavy snowfalls can sometimes block some sections of the road and can be extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. The main settlement in the region is the Omalo Village (1850 m.s.l.)  Due to Omalo's high mountain location on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the absence of well-maintained roads, it is largely isolated from the rest of Georgia for most of the year. Conditions can change quickly and be harsh. Road closures can be frequent, so check conditions before traveling to this area.

This trail passes through remote areas, so you need to be prepared. Tusheti can be reached with a 4WD vehicle and only a 4WD. Note for travellers: some homestays are often only open from July but a bit a preplanning will always ensure you have somewhere to stay. 4 wheeling is an inherently dangerous activity and shouldn’t be attempted without the appropriate training and equipment. Tusheti's scenery is a spectacular mix of high, snow-covered peaks, deep gorges of Pirikiti, Gometseri and Chanchakhovani and steep, grassy hillsides with flocks of sheep and horses running wild through fields of irises.

2. Asian Highway 5

Asian Highway 5 (AH5) is an east-west route of the Asian Highway Network, running 10,380km (16,705 miles) from Shanghai, China via Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia to the border between Turkey and Bulgaria West of Istanbul where it connects to AH1 and E80.

3. Asian Highway 81

Asian Highway 81 (AH81) is a road in the Asian Highway Network running 1143 km (714 miles) from Larsi, Georgia to Baku, Azerbaijan, with ferry connection to Aktau ,Kazakhstan.

4. European Route 60

European route E 60 is the second longest E-road running from Brest, France (on the Atlantic coast), to Irkeshtam, Kyrgyzstan(on the border with People's Republic of China).

5. European Route E70

European route E 70 is an A-Class West-East European route, extending from A Coruña in Spain in the west to the Georgiancity of Poti in the east.

6. Georgian Military Road

The Georgian Military Road (ca. 212 kilometers long) runs between Tbilisi (Georgia) and Vladikavkaz (Russia) and follows the traditional route used by invaders and traders throughout the ages. From Vladikavkaz, the road stretches southwards up the valley of the Terek before passing through the Darial Gorge (which marks the border between Russia and Georgia). It then passes Mount Kazbek and Gergeti Trinity Church before heading south-west through the Georgian region of Khevi to the Jvari Pass, where it reaches its maximum altitude of 2,379 meters (7,815 feet) (42.5042°N 44.4538°E). The road then turns south-eastwards, following the Tetri Aragvi River through Mtiuleti down to the town of Pasanauri, before heading due south. It then passes below the walls of the the medieval fortress of Ananuri before cutting across the wide floodplain of the Tetri Aragvi down to a point just north of Georgia's historic capital, Mtskheta, where it merges into Georgia's main East-West highway (the E60). In this guise, the Georgian Military Road technically continues along the right bank of the Kura (Mtkvari) River before reaching nearby Tbilisi.

The 1914 edition of Baedeker's Russia describes the Georgian Military Road as 'one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world', and mentions the fact that, as early as its date of publication, 'motor omnibuses of the Société française des transports automobiles du Caucase ply regularly from April 15 to Oct. 15th, [accomplishing] the journey in 10 hrs.

The importance of the Georgian Military Road as a through route was diminished in recent years, primarily due to delays at the border crossing between Russia and Georgia, natural disasters such as landslides, and the outright closure of the border crossing by Russia in 2006.

Since 2013, however, when Russia finally agreed to re-open its side of the border as a result of Armenian demands, the road has once again become an important transport artery, mainly for trailer lorries linking Armenia and Russia.

Various restrictions, however, remained (and still remain) in place, particularly for Georgian citizens, but by 2013 a representative of the Russian side of the border could tell the Interfax news agency that around 3 million people had passed through the Lars checkpoint.

Currently (2015), the Georgian end of the Road is frequently clogged with lorries, apparently due to the length of time needed for vehicles transiting Georgia to be admitted into Russia.

7. Ossetian Military Road

The Ossetian Military Road was constructed between 1854 and 1889, by Imperial Russian authorities in the Caucasus. The road runs through the Rioni and Ardon river valleys and links Kutaisi, Georgia with Alagir, Russian Federation, crossing the Greater Caucasus crest through the Mamison Pass (Kutaisi-Alpana-Mamison road) at 2,911m. The 270-km-long route is seldom used today, having been supplanted by the 1971-1981 construction of Trans-Caucasian Highway which crosses the Caucasus range via Roki Tunnel. Alternative crossings include the Georgian Military Road which climbs the Jvari Pass at 2379m.

8. S1 Highway

The Georgian route S1 (also known as Tbilisi-Senaki-Leselidze) is a major trunk road that runs from Tbilisi through Senakibefore reaching the border with Russia near Leselidze (Abkhazia). The length is 552 kilometers (342 mi). The highway runs through Mtskheta, Gori, Khashuri, Zestaponi, Kutaisi, Samtredia, Senaki, Zugdidi, Sukhumi and Gagra. After crossing the border with Russia, the highway continues to Sochi and Krasnodar. It is part of the European route E60, E97 and E117.

North of Zugdidi, the highway it is not controlled by the Georgian government and is located in the breakaway republic ofAbkhazia. Crossing from Georgia to Abkhazia is impossible.

Parts of the road, including the stretch between Tbilisi and Ruisi (100 km), is built as a dual carriageway.

9. S2 Highway

The Georgian route S2 (also known as Senaki-Poti-Sarpi) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Senaki through Poti before reaching the border with Turkey near Sarpi (Adjara). The length is 119 kilometers (74 mi). The highway runs through

Poti, Grigoleti, Ureki, Kobuleti, Chakvi and Batumi. After crossing the border with Turkey, the highway continues to Trabzon. It is part of the European route E60 and E70.

10. S3 Highway

The Georgian route S3 (also known as Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Mtskhetathrough Stepantsminda before reaching the border with Russia near Larsi (Mtsketa-Mtianeti). The length is 139 kilometers (86 mi). The highway runs through Zhinvali, Ananuri, Pasanauri and Gudauri. After crossing the border with Russia, the highway continues to Vladikavkaz. It is part of the European route E117 and Georgian Military Road.

11. S4 Highway

The Georgian route S4 (also known as Tbilisi–Red Bridge) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Tbilisi through Rustavibefore reaching the border with Azerbaijan near Red Bridge (Kvemo Kartli). The length is 57 kilometres (35 mi). After crossing the border with Azerbaijan, the highway continues to Ganja and Baku. It is part of the European route E60 and European route E117.

12. S5 Highway

The Georgian route S5 (also known as Tbilisi-Bakurtsikhe-Lagodekhi) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Tbilisithrough Bakurtsikhe before reaching the border with Azerbaijan near Lagodekhi (Kakheti). The length is 160 kilometers (99 mi). The highway runs through Sagarejo and Tsnori. After crossing the border with Azerbaijan, the highway continues to Zaqatalaand Yevlax.

13. S6 Highway

The Georgian route S6 (also known as Ponichala–Marneuli–Guguti) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Ponichala (Tbilisi) through Marneuli before reaching the border with Armenia near Guguti (Kvemo Kartli). The length is 98 kilometres (61 mi). The highway runs through Bolnisi and Kazreti. After crossing the border with Armenia, the highway continues to Stepanavan and Vanadzor. It is part of the European route E117.

14. S7 Highway

The Georgian route S7 (also known as Marneuli–Sadakhlo) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Marneuli through Shulaveri before reaching the border with Armenia near Sadakhlo (Kvemo Kartli). The length is 34 kilometers (21 mi). After crossing the border with Armenia, the highway continues to Vanadzor and Yerevan. It is part of the European route E001.

15. S8 Highway

The Georgian route S8 (also known as Khashuri–Akhaltsikhe-Vale) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Khashuri through Akhaltsikhe before reaching the border with Turkey near Vale (Samtskhe-Javakheti). The length is 97 kilometers (60 mi). The highway runs through Borjomi. After crossing the border with Turkey, the highway continues to Kars. It is part of the European route E691.

16. S9 Highway

The Georgian route S9 (also known as Tbilisi Bypass Road) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from S1 Highway (Near Mtskheta) to S4 Highway (Near Rustavi). The length is 49 kilometers (30 mi). The highway runs near Tbilisi International Airport. It is part of the European route E60 and European route E117.

17. S10 Highway

The Georgian route S10 (also known as Gori-Tskhinvali-Gupta-Java-Roki) was one of the major trunk road until Georgian–Ossetian conflict (1989). It runs from Gori through Tskhinvali before reaching the border with Russia (Roki Tunnel, Shida Kartli). The length is 92.5 kilometers (57.5 mi). The highway runs through Karaleti, Ergneti and Java. After crossing the border with Russia, the highway continues to Vladikavkaz. It is part of the Transcaucasian Highway.

North of village Ergneti, the highway is not controlled by the Georgian government and it's located in the breakaway republic of South Ossetia. Crossing from Georgia to South Ossetia is impossible.

18. S11 Highway

The Georgian route S11 (also known as Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda) is one of the major trunk roads that runs from Akhaltsikhe through Akhalkalaki before reaching the border with Armenia near Ninotsminda (Samtskhe-Javakheti). The length is 112 kilometers (70 mi). The highway runs through Aspindza. After crossing the border with Armenia, the highway continues to Gyumri. It is part of the European route E691.

19. Transcaucasia Highway

The Transcaucasian Highway, usually shortened as Transkam, is a mountain road that crosses the Greater Caucasus through the Roki Tunnel, connecting North Ossetia–Alania with South Ossetia and Russia with Georgia. It was constructed between 1971 and 1981 as an alternative to the older Georgian Military Road and Ossetian Military Road. In the winter months the road is often closed due to the danger of avalanches.

MAP OF GEORGIA

Attached here is a map of Georgia for us to be fully familiarized with the names of the cities and other places mentioned above.

SUMMARY

Seeing the pictures inserted in this document, we can notice that there are only a few roadways located in the country Georgia. It can be observed that most of the highways are not yet cemented or asphalted. These things may be deemed only natural because this country just became independent in the year 1991. It can also be observed that the country is surrounded by the Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south, thus making it hard for them to quickly build efficient roadways to remote mountainous areas. The country’s lack of roadways may also be caused by its unstable political standing and different interests and priorities of its political leaders.

It can also be well observed from the list above that there are international highways that pass through Georgia. Some of these are Asian Highway 5, Asian Highway 81, European Route 60 and European Route 70 which are all listed above. This may be because Georgia serves as the end point to these highways because its western border is along the coast of the Black Sea.

Aside from its mountainous terrain, the size of the country is a factor as well in constructing its roadways. Given the size of Georgia which is only 69, 700 square kilometers, wherein almost 40% of its land territory is covered with forest, there are only few major highways needed to make significant areas accessible. The country also does not have many cities to connect and its major cities are already connected by railways.