Plans to expand the Kobuleti bypass from two lanes to four have moved into a new financing stage, as Georgia’s Infrastructure Ministry and the Asian Development Bank continue preparations for the project.
The Ministry said on October 13 that technical, financial, procurement, road-safety, environmental and social parameters were reviewed with an ADB mission. Once the preparatory phase is completed, the project is expected to move toward a formal financing agreement. Министерство инфраструктуры
Infrastructure Minister Revaz Sokhadze said active construction could begin by the end of 2027.
A 30.7-Km Upgrade for Adjara’s Main Road Corridor
The proposed expansion covers approximately 30.7 kilometres of the existing Kobuleti bypass.
According to project details reported on October 13, the upgrade would include new interchanges, bridges and two tunnels measuring approximately 305 metres and 174 metres. The upgraded road is expected to support speeds of up to 120 km/h. BM.GE
ADB currently lists the Kobuleti Bypass Project as a proposed operation with $295 million in potential loan financing. The project is designed to improve road efficiency along Georgia’s East–West Highway and CAREC Corridor 2. Asian Development Bank
Why It Matters for Batumi and Adjara
The Kobuleti bypass is one of the main road links used by traffic approaching Batumi from the north.
The existing bypass opened in 2018 and was designed to remove transit traffic from Kobuleti’s coastal streets. Growing traffic volumes have since created the need for additional capacity. BM.GE
The Infrastructure Ministry says the four-lane expansion should be considered together with the Batumi–Sarpi highway, creating a more integrated road system across Adjara. Министерство инфраструктуры
For Batumi, better road capacity on the northern approach could improve regional mobility and make travel between Batumi, Kobuleti, Guria and the rest of Georgia more predictable.
What It Means for Property
Transport infrastructure can influence how attractive a location is, but major road projects should be viewed as long-term accessibility factors rather than immediate property-price catalysts.
For coastal areas north of Batumi, including Makhinjauri and Green Cape, the practical questions are travel time, congestion and how easily residents can reach the city throughout the year.
The project is still in the financing and preparation stage, so buyers should not price future benefits into a property as if the four-lane highway were already complete.
Our View
The Kobuleti bypass expansion is relevant to Batumi because it addresses one of the region’s most important constraints: road capacity during periods of heavy traffic.
Combined with the Batumi–Sarpi project, it could eventually create a much stronger north–south road corridor through Adjara.
The key milestones to watch now are the financing agreement, tender process and whether construction remains on track to start by late 2027.
Sources
Ministry of Infrastructure of Georgia — Kobuleti Bypass Expansion, October 13, 2026
Asian Development Bank — Kobuleti Bypass Project
BM.ge — Construction to Expand Kobuleti Bypass to Four Lanes
Editorial note: Financing, design details and construction schedules remain subject to the project’s preparation, procurement and approval process.
