Georgia road network | |
---|---|
System information | |
Maintained by the Roads Department of Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia (GeoRoad) | |
Length | 21,110 km [1] [2] (13,120 mi) |
Formed | 1996 [3] |
Highway names | |
International roads | ს x - ს xx (S) |
State roads | შ x - შ xxx (Sh) |
Local roads | ა x - ა xxx (A, per municipality) |
System links | |
|
Georgia's road network plays an important role in both domestic and international traffic with the four neighboring countries. This is expressed in the road numbering system. The country has a network of 13 internationally oriented trunk highways that connect the capital Tbilisi, home to about a third of the national population, with its four neighboring countries. This is also the backbone of a network of domestic oriented national roads connecting vital regions with each other.
The total length of the road network is approximately 21,110 kilometres (13,120 mi) according to 2021 numbers. [2] Only a limited number of these are express roads or motorways which are in good condition. The quality of the other roads varies greatly. Signposts are in both Georgian and Latin script, but the road number prefix is always in Georgian script. European E-routes are indicated on the signposts while Asian AH roads are not.
The road numbering in Georgia consists of three layers: roads of "international" (Georgian: საერთაშორისო, saertashoriso), "domestic" (შიდასახელმწიფოებრივი, shidasakhelmts’ipoebrivi) and "local" (ადგილობრივი, adgilobrivi) importance. This system was introduced at the end of 1996, including a new list of major roads. [3]
The law on roads defines: [4]
These three categories are denoted by the Georgian letters ს (S), შ (Sh) and ა (A), derived from the first letter of their class:
The list of international (S) and domestic (Sh) roads is reviewed every 5 years according to the road law and requires government approval. [4] Since the decentralization in 2007, local A-roads are designated by the municipalities. Each municipality manages up to hundreds of A-roads. In the Autonomous Republics of Adjara and Abkhazia, local A roads are reviewed every three years by the Autonomous Government. For Abkhazia, this is the autonomous government-in-exile recognized by Tbilisi, which effectively exercises no authority over the area.
Since the introduction of the current system, the Georgian network of numbered roads has been gradually expanding. In 2011, the S13 was added as an S-trunk highway, promoted from an Sh-road, after the decision to open a new border crossing with Turkey. Adjustment in highway lengths occur due to realignments. Most of the growth in the route network is achieved with the Sh roads of domestic importance. In 2006 the amount of routes increased considerably due to a major reassessment. The table below does not specify A-roads of local importance as data is generally not very consistent or complete to create a reliable picture. S and Sh roads fall under the responsibility of the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia while local A roads are the responsibility of municipalities.
1996 [3] | 2005 [5] | 2006 [6] | 2008 [7] | 2011 [8] | 2014 [9] | 2017 [10] | 2022 [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ს-roads (S) | Amount | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 1581 km 982 mi | 1581 km 982 mi | 1565 km 972 mi | 1563 km 971 mi | 1603 km 996 mi | 1603 km 996 mi | 1595 km 991 mi | 1593 km 990 mi | |||||||||||||||||||||
შ-roads (Sh) | Amount | 73 | 74 | 194 | 199 | 200 | 202 | 205 | 205 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 3392 km 2108 mi | 3417 km 2123 mi | 5446 km 3384 mi | 5446 km 3384 mi | 5308 km 3298 mi | 5298 km 3292 mi | 5373 km 3339 mi | 5460 km 3390 mi | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total length | 4973 km 3090 mi | 4998 km 3106 mi | 7011 km 4356 mi | 7009 km 4355 mi | 6911 km 4294 mi | 6901 km 4288 mi | 6968 km 4330 mi | 7053 km 4383 mi | |||||||||||||||||||||
The table is based on successive decreed lists for "Determination of International, Domestic and Local Roads of Georgia" of 1996, [3] 2005, [5] 2006, [6] 2008, [7] 2011, [8] 2014, [9] 2017 [10] and 2022. [1] |
The S-roads "of international importance" are indicated by a blue shield with white letters. The expressway or motorway sections are marked with a green shield with white letters. These highways are numbered ს1 to ს13 (or S1 to S13). Eleven of these terminate at Georgia's international border, while two act as connectors within the S-network (S9 and S12). The S9 is the mandatory bypass around Tbilisi for international transit traffic between the S1, S4 and S5 highways, while the S12 connects S1 and S2 highways via a shorter route to/from Turkey. Two S-routes run partially through Abkhazia (S1) and South Ossetia (S10) regions which sections are beyond control of Georgian authorities. Through travel is not possible from/to Tbilisi controlled territory, except for foot passage into Abkhazia. However, these roads serve traffic with Russia from within both regions.
Most of the roughly 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) of S-roads are in a good or acceptable condition with an asphalt or concrete surface. Typically they have been built as two-lane highway. Limited sections have been upgraded since 2006 to motorway and 2 or 4 lane expressway and this is gradually expanding. These upgrades are mostly related to the E60/E70 East-West Highway project, an internationally sponsored project to upgrade the (East-West) transport corridor through Georgia, connecting Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. Most S-routes are part of European E-roads which are often signposted together with the Georgian road numbers. Three Asian Highway Network routes traverse Georgia, but these are not signposted.
The vast network of 5,460 km (3,390 mi) domestic შ Sh-roads connects vital regions with each other and the capital. By far most of these routes are relatively short, but some routes are quite long, up to nearly 200 km. The longer Sh-roads are interregional in nature while others are designed as part of a subregional network, provide access to the main S-highways or remote mountain valleys. The list of Sh-routes is slowly expanding. Recent additions შ203, შ204, შ 205 and შ 208 are former parts of the S1, S2 and S12 highways, renumbered to Sh-road after realignment of sections of these highways. More of such additions can be expected with the ongoing and scheduled realignment of parts of key S-highways. At the same time, new important regional routes are being built in mountain regions and elsewhere, such as the შ 209 Sachkhere - Oni road.
The condition of Sh-roads varies from excellent to horrid. From newly sealed (asphalt) to unsealed or lacking decades of reconstruction. This mixed picture also applies to long distance Sh-routes. That said, with the limited resources the state has, some key projects have been launched since 2006, and increasingly so since 2014. The Sh7 road to Mestia in the Svaneti mountain valley and the long distance Sh31 through the southern Samtskhe-Javakheti region were key regional road projects during the tenure of 3rd President Saakashvili. In more recent years other long and medium distance roads in the regions in partially or wholly terrible shape have been reconstructed, such as the Sh16 through Racha, the Sh26 to Shatili, the Sh38 across the Gombori mountains and others. Also, the construction of regional bypasses, such as the new Sh207 Gurjaani-Bakurtsikhe Bypass, [11] are a point of attention. Overall, the quality of the regional road network is improving with the years, but large sections remain in bad (unsealed) condition under sometimes harsh climatic conditions, especially in the mountainous regions.
The speed limits in Georgia are determined by the Traffic Act, Section 33. [12]
Historically, the speed limit in Georgia was 90 km/h (56 mph) as there were no motorways in the country. That has changed since construction of motorways commenced with the new government after the 2003 Rose Revolution for which the speed limit was raised to 110 km/h (68 mph). This limit can mainly be found on a large part of the S1/E60 highway between Tbilisi and Samtredia, but also on the short motorway section of the S12. In contrast, the short motorway section of the S4 between Tbilisi and Rustavi has a speed limit of 90 km/h (56 mph).
Vervoersmiddel | City | Rural | Motorways |
---|---|---|---|
Passenger and cargo vehicle (<3.5 t) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | 90 km/h (56 mph) | 110 km/h (68 mph) |
Small bus and motorcycle | 60 km/h (37 mph) | 80 km/h (50 mph) | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
Vehicle with trailer (>3.5 t) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | 70 km/h (43 mph) | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
Vehicle with passenger trailer | 60 km/h (37 mph) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
There are a number of streets in Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi where the speed limit exceeds the general 60 km/h (37 mph) limit for built-up areas. These are for example:
For decades the Soviet Union lacked a systematic public numbering system for its (trunk) road network. In 1960 a list of 37 numbered "highways of national importance" across the 15 Soviet Socialist Republics was adopted. [13] Three of these routes passed through the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic: the 16, 17 and 19. These were canceled in 1982 with a major revision of the road numbering.
Route | Length* | Currently part of | |
---|---|---|---|
16 | Beslan - Ordzhonikidze - Tbilisi - Leninakan - Yerevan | 270 km (170 mi) | S3 (Georgian Military Highway) and S6 via Marneuli with transit through Tbilisi city. |
17 | Tbilisi - Kutaisi - Samtredia | 245 km (152 mi) | S1 between Natakhtari and Samtredia but through the cities of Gori, Khashuri and Kutaisi |
19 | Novorossiysk - Batumi | 404 km (251 mi) | S1 (Sokhumi - Zugdidi, Samtredia), part of S12, Sh2 via Ozurgeti and S2 |
*) Shown is the length of the route within the Georgian SSR. |
In 1982 a three-tier classification system was adopted in the Soviet Union with M, A and R (Russian : Р) routes, which laid the foundation for the current Georgian numbered trunk road network. The routes can still be found in the current Georgian network, especially the M and A roads. The M (Магистральные, Magistral'nyye, arterial) and A (Автомобильные, Avtomobil'nyye, automobile) routes "of national importance" were assigned at the federal Soviet level, while the R ("republican") routes were assigned at the SSR republic level. Cross border R-routes therefore had different numbers on either side of the internal border. The A-routes had 3 digits and were assigned according to their region: the 300 series was assigned to the Caucasus and Central Asia. The A routes had 3 digits and were assigned according to their region: the 300 series was assigned to the Caucasus and Central Asia. [14] The R routes had 1 to 3 digits, based on their importance in the road network.
One M-route (M-27) and ten A-routes (A-301 to A-310) led through the Georgian SSR. [15] These designations were maintained in independent Georgia until 1996/1997 when Georgia switched to their own (and current) system.
Route | Length* | Currently part of | |
---|---|---|---|
M-27 | Novorossiysk - Tbilisi - Baku | 604 km (375 mi) | Entire S1, through Tbilisi city, and entire S4. |
A-301 | Tbilisi (Natakhtari) - Beslan | 137 km (85 mi) | S3 (Georgian Military Highway) |
A-302 | Tbilisi - Lagodekhi via Bakurtsikhe | 152 km (94 mi) | S5 (Kakheti Highway). A-302 continued as A-315 after Lagodekhi |
A-303 | Tbilisi - Bogdanovka (Ninotsminda) via Manglisi | 164 km (102 mi) | Via Tbilisi's Sololaki District, Kojori, Manglisi and then Sh31 to Ninotsminda. |
A-304 | Tbilisi - Leninakan (Gyumri) until A-306 | 98 km (61 mi) | Entire S6 |
A-305 | Mikha Tskhakaya (Airbase Senaki, M-27) - Batumi | 97 km (60 mi) | S2 highway from Senaki via Poti to Batumi |
A-306 | Batumi - Leninakan (Gyumri) through Akhaltsikhe | 166 km (103 mi) | Sh2 Batumi - Akhaltsikhe and S11 via Ninotsminda to Armenia |
A-307 | Kutaisi - Benara (A-306) via Sairme | 104 km (65 mi) | Sh14 Kutaisi - Benara (Sh2 connection) via Baghdati and Sairme |
A-308 | Khashuri - Akhaltsikhe | 77 km (48 mi) | S8 highway Khashuri - Akhaltsikhe via Borjomi |
A-309 | Bzyb - Avadhara through Ritsu | 59 km (37 mi) | Entire Sh11 route (located in Abkhazia). |
A-310 | Kirovakan (Vanadzor) - Marneuli through Alaverdi | 349 km (217 mi) | Entire S7 highway Marneuli - Sadakhlo |
*) Shown is the length of the route within the Georgian SSR. |
In 1997, remaining terminology of the Soviet numbering system were subtly removed from the old road law. The word "trunk road" (მაგისტრალური, magist'raluri, for M-road) was replaced with "international" and "republican" (რესპუბლიკური, resp'ublik'uri, R-road) with "domestic". [16]
In practice this meant that most of the (Soviet) Georgian A-routes and the only M-route were reclassified and renumbered as S-roads and former R-routes as Sh-roads. The rationale behind this was that most of the M and A major roads that independent Georgia inherited from the Soviet Union in 1991 lead to the country's outer borders, in some cases with a short extension, such as the S2 and S8. As a result, the trunk road network became strongly internationally oriented.
Georgia has 14 border checkpoints for vehicular traffic with its four neighbours. Eleven of these are the terminus of an S-road, the other three connect to a domestic Sh-road.
For Soviet transportation, see Transport in the Soviet Union.
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway, and expressway. Other similar terms include throughway or thruway and parkway. Some of these may be limited-access highways, although this term can also refer to a class of highways with somewhat less isolation from other traffic.
This article describes the highway systems available in selected countries.
The Strade Statali, abbreviated SS, are the Italian national network of state highways. The total length of the network is about 25,000 km (16,000 mi).
The Georgian S1 route, is a "road of international importance" with a registered length of 542.7 kilometres (337.2 mi) within the Georgian classification system, which makes it the longest Georgian highway route. It runs from Tbilisi via Mtskheta, Gori, Khashuri, Zestaponi, Kutaisi, Samtredia, Senaki, Zugdidi, Sukhumi and Gagra to the border with Russia near Leselidze at the northwestern tip of the country, covering in practice 537 kilometres (334 mi). After crossing the Georgia–Russia border in breakaway Abkhazia, the highway continues to Sochi and Krasnodar as A147. It is part of European E60, E97 and E117 routes and Asian Highways AH5, AH81 and AH82, and connects with six other S-routes.
The Georgian route S2, also known as Senaki-Poti-Sarpi , is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network which runs from Senaki via Poti, Kobuleti, and Batumi to the border with Turkey near Sarpi (Adjara) with a length of 119 kilometres (74 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Turkish border the highway continues as D.010 to Trabzon. The S2 highway is part of European E60, E70, E97 and Asian AH5 routes and is mostly built as a 2-lane road through villages, towns and cities. Part of the highway has been upgraded in recent years to a single carriageway with hard shoulder bypassing residential communities.
The Georgian S3 route, also known as Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi or Georgian Military Road, is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Mtskheta to the border with Russia near Stepantsminda with a length of 139 kilometres (86 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Russian border the highway continues as A161 to Vladikavkaz, the capital of Russia's North Ossetia–Alania federal republic. The highway is the only open land route between Russia and Georgia (country), while routes via Georgian breakaways South Ossetia and Abkhazia are effectively closed for through traffic.
The Georgian S4 route, also known as Tbilisi–Red Bridge or Rustavi Highway, is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Tbilisi via Rustavi city to the border with Azerbaijan at the Red Bridge over a distance of 57 kilometres (35 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Azerbaijan border the highway continues as M2 to Ganja and Baku.
The Georgian S5 route, also known as Tbilisi-Bakurtsikhe-Lagodekhi or Kakheti Highway, is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Tbilisi via Sagarejo and Bakurtsikhe to the border with Azerbaijan near Lagodekhi over a distance of 160 kilometres (99 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Azerbaijan border the highway continues as M5 to Zagatala and Yevlakh. The S5 highway is one of the two Georgian S-highways that is not part of the European or Asian international highway routes. Within the Georgian S-network it connects with the S9 Tbilisi Bypass.
The Georgian S6 route, also known as Ponichala–Marneuli–Guguti , is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Ponichala in Tbilisi via Marneuli and Bolnisi to the border with Armenia near Guguti over a distance of 98 kilometres (61 mi). After crossing the Georgian-Armenian border the highway continues as M3 to Vanadzor and Ashtarak, northwest of Yerevan.
The Georgian S7 route, also known as Marneuli–Sadakhlo , is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Marneuli to the border with Armenia near Sadakhlo over a distance of 34 kilometres (21 mi), making it the shortest S-highway in Georgia. After crossing the Georgian-Armenian border the highway continues as M6 to Vanadzor, Armenia's third largest city.
The Georgian S8 route, also known as Khashuri–Akhaltsikhe-Vale , is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian system and runs from Khashuri via Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe to the border with Turkey near Vale over a distance of 97 kilometres (60 mi). After crossing the Georgia–Turkey border the highway continues as D955 to Ardahan. The S8 is a two lane road and is part of European route E691 between Akhaltsikhe and the Turkish border, and part of the Asian Highway AH82 between Khashuri and Akhaltsikhe. It connects with the Georgian S11 highway in Akhaltsikhe. The road is mostly located in the Samtskhe–Javakheti region, while its Khashuri segment is located in the Shida Kartli region. The S8 highway route follows the Kura river through its gorge until Akhaltsikhe and reaches a maximum altitude of 1230 metres (4040 ft) above sea level at the Georgia–Turkey border.
The Georgian S9 route, also known as Tbilisi Bypass, is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network with a length of 49 kilometres (30 mi) and runs in a wide curve around the East side of Tbilisi between the S1 Highway near Mtskheta) to the S4 Highway near Rustavi. The bypass intersects with the S5 "Kakheti Highway" near the Tbilisi International Airport and is part of the European E60 and Asian AH5 and AH81 routes. Transit traffic is mandated to take the bypass around Tbilisi.
The Georgian S10 route, also known as "Gori-Tskhinvali-Gupta-Java-Roki ", is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network from Gori via Tskhinvali to the Russian border at the Roki Tunnel with a length of 92.5 kilometres (57.5 mi). After crossing the Russian border the road continues as A164 highway to Alagir and the R217 "Caucasus Highway". The S10 route, which intersects with the S1 highway just outside of the city of Gori, is often referred to as Transkam or Transcaucasian Highway. It is not part of European or Asian international highway routes.
The Georgian S11 route, also known as Akhaltsikhe - Ninotsminda , is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian system and runs from Akhaltsikhe via Akhalkalaki to the border with Armenia near Ninotsminda covering 112 kilometres (70 mi). After crossing the Georgia–Armenia border the highway continues as M1 to Gyumri, Armenia's second largest city. The entire two-lane S11 is part of the European E691 and Asian AH82 routes and connects with two other Georgian S-highways. The road is located entirely in the Samtskhe–Javakheti region which is geographically an extension of the Armenian Highlands, and reaches a maximum altitude of 2,150 metres (7,050 ft) above sea level without passing any mountain passes. The high altitude plains between Akhalkalaki and the Armenian border have a harsh winter climate, leading to frequent road closures due to high snow.
The Georgian S12 route, also known as Samtredia-Lanchkhuti-Grigoleti, is a 56 kilometres (35 mi) long "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network which branches off the S1 highway in Samtredia and runs to the S2 highway near Grigoleti (Guria). It is part of the main route between Kutaisi and Batumi, bypassing the Black Sea port Poti. Within the European E-road network it is referred to as E692. Most of the S12 is a two-lane road through villages and towns, while a limited part is a motorway since 2020. Upgrading the entire S12 to a four lane motorway is work in progress but experiences severe delays.
The speed limits in Georgia are regulated by Law of Road Safety, article 29.
The S13 route, also known as "Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi", is a 36.5 kilometres (22.7 mi) highway route of "international importance" in southern Georgia from Akhalkalaki to the Turkish border near Kartsakhi. The route branches off from the S11/E691 highway on the northside of Akhalkalaki. It is a simple (two-lane) asphalt road through the highlands that are characteristic for the Samtskhe–Javakheti region. The road starts at 1700 m (5600 ft) above sea level and gradually climbs to 1970 m (6460 ft) before reaching the Turkish border at 1820 m (5970 ft), the 3rd highest border checkpoint in Georgia next to Georgia's 2nd largest lake. After the Turkish border, the road continues to the Turkish D010 at Çıldır. It is the shortest route from Armenia to Turkey, shortcutting the E691 route.