S-9 (Georgia)
საერთაშორისო 9 (Georgian) | ||||
Tbilisi Bypass | ||||
Route information | ||||
Part of and | ||||
Length | 49 km[1] (30 mi) | |||
Existed | 1996–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
North end | Mtskheta ( ) | |||
"Kakheti Highway" Sh32 Gachiani | ||||
South end | Rustavi ( | |||
Location | ||||
Georgia | ||||
Municipalities | Mtskheta, Tbilisi, Gardabani | |||
Highway system | ||||
| ||||
|
The S9 route (Georgian: საერთაშორისო მნიშვნელობის გზა ს9, Saertashoriso mnishvnelobis gza S9, road of international importance S9), also known as Tbilisi Bypass, is a 49 kilometers (30 mi) long "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network. The bypass, effectively a partial ring road, runs in a wide curve around the East side of the Georgian capital Tbilisi, from the North side at the S1 Highway near Mtskheta) to the South side at the S4 Highway near Rustavi. The highway is part of the European E60 and Asian AH5 and AH81 routes. Transit traffic is mandated to take the bypass around Tbilisi.
History
The S9 Tbilisi Bypass was commissioned in 1996, when the Georgian road numbering system was revised to replace its old Soviet system.[2]
Northern sections of the bypass were constructed in the first half of the 1980s,[3] before the actual construction of the highway. In the period 2011-13, seven kilometers of the northern part of the highway got a diverted alignment.[4]
Route description
The Tbilisi Bypass is entirely two-lane and has a limited number of junctions, some of which have (partial) grade separation. It runs through sparsely populated area around Tbilisi and the only notable interchange, apart from its terminuses, is the cloverleaf interchange with the S5 "Kakheti Highway" near the Tbilisi International Airport. The southern connection to the S4 at Rustavi is a trumpet interchange with additional loop ramps.
Two-third of the highway is located in the Kvemo Kartli region. The northern section of the road is located in the Tbilisi capital region and Mtskheta-Mtianeti region.
Future
Feasibility and design studies into the upgrade of the S9 Tbilisi Bypass to four lane motorway standards have been finalized in 2020. Financed by the Asian Development Bank the studies included a 27 kilometers (17 mi) northern extension via Natakhtari to Zhinvali (parallel to the current S3 highway) on the left bank of the Aragvi river.[5]
Gallery
References
- ^ "2014 List of highways of international and domestic importance" (in Georgian). The Legislative Herald of Georgia. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ "On Approval of Indicators and List for Determination of International, Domestic and Local Roads of Georgia (1996)" (in Georgian). The Legislative Herald of Georgia. 16 December 1996. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- ^ "Traffic is restored at 549m long upgraded bridge located at Tbilisi bypass road". Road Department of Georgia. 2013-06-14. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ "Charmain of Roads Department and his deputies inspected construction of Tbilisi bypass road". Road Department of Georgia. 2013-08-26. Archived from the original on 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
- ^ "Preparation of Feasibility Study and Detailed Design for the E-60 Highway Section from Natakhtari to Rustavi (Tbilisi Bypass)". IRD Engineering. 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
External links
- Media related to S-9 (Georgia) at Wikimedia Commons