A new road tunnel connection has been proposed by Georgia. The tunnel would be from Kobi to Gudauri on the highway connecting Mtskheta with Stepantsminda and Lars. This E117 route passes through an area of difficult terrain between Kobi and Gudauri. The tunnel would avoid some of the most challenging, mountainous sections of the present E117 alignment. The E117 is known for having some of the most challenging highway stretches in Europe, with a series of switchbacks close to Ganisi (to the south of the planned tunnel) being one of the best known.
Should this project get the go-ahead, it would be one of the longest road tunnels in Europe. The cost of the project has yet to be revealed, along with the financing sources. Preparatory works are expected to commence before the end of 2019 however.
