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KAZBEGI, Georgia, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On April 23, a key tunnel on the Kvesheti-Kobi highway of Georgia’s North-South corridor has been successfully bored ahead of schedule, reducing travel time from one hour to 20 minutes. The Gudauri tunnel, built by China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd., is expected to solve the problem of seasonal traffic disruptions that have plagued Georgia for many years.
This tunnel, with a length of 8,860 meters, will not only improve the efficiency and safety of the North-South corridor, but will also significantly boost tourism, employment, accessibility and border trade in the mountainous areas of North Georgia. It will also elevate Georgia’s status as a crucial transportation hub and vital corridor connecting Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and other neighboring countries.
The Kvesheti-Kobi highway of the North-South corridor of Georgia has a total length of 22.7 kilometers. The 10-kilometer-long LOT1 section is built by China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd., of which the Gudauri tunnel is the flagship work, which is designed as a two-lane, two-way road and represents the project of largest infrastructure in Georgia.
The Caucasus hard rock tunnel boring machine (TBM) played a decisive role in the construction of the tunnel. This machine, independently designed by China, is 182 meters long and weighs 3,900 tons. It has a maximum thrust of 22,600 tons, a total power of 9,900 kilowatts and an excavation diameter of 15.08 meters, making it the most powerful in the world in its class.
With a maximum monthly advance of 426 meters, the Caucasus TBM established a new record in the history of tunnel construction with large diameter TBMs, exceeding previous forecasts of a monthly advance of no more than 320 meters in the sector. This breakthrough was achieved thanks to Caucasus’s innovative design, which includes synchronized excavation and erection techniques, which improved construction efficiency.
Additionally, during the construction process, the project team prioritized environmental protection by continuously monitoring noise and vibration. Immediate action was taken to resolve any issues that exceeded environmental standards, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable development.
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