Project Milestone

On 20 October 2026, the concrete pour for the final segment of the arch ring was completed, achieving closure of the left half of the B3 Arch Bridge, a key control element of Lot 2 of the Georgia North‑South Corridor Road Project. The bridge is being built by China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation.

Bridge Specifications

The B3 Arch Bridge measures a total length of 437.875 metres, with a clear main arch span of 286 metres and a deck positioned 164 metres above the valley floor. It employs a deck‑type reinforced concrete arch configuration with two separate box‑section arch ribs, constructed using a cable‑stayed buckling system and cantilever casting with form travellers. The arch rib cross‑section is 3.5 metres wide and 4.7 metres high, making it the smallest‑dimensioned among comparable long‑span arch bridges.

Construction Challenges and Mitigations

The site is exposed to persistent strong winds, winter temperatures as low as –20 °C, and snow depths up to 2 metres. These extreme conditions demand high wind‑resistance, structural durability, and precise geometric control. To address them, the project team partnered with a domestic university to perform full‑life‑cycle wind‑tunnel tests and field verification, establishing a comprehensive wind‑resistance monitoring and safety assurance system for both construction and operation phases. All relevant indicators meet European design standards.

Progress Outlook

The entire arch ring is slated to be fully closed by the end of 2026, after which the bridge will become the largest‑span reinforced concrete arch bridge in the Caucasus region and rank among the world’s leading cantilever‑cast arch bridges. Completion will eliminate a major bottleneck on the north‑south corridor, substantially reduce travel times across the Caucasus Mountains, improve road transport efficiency and safety, and reinforce the integrated transport network.

Strategic Significance

The B3 Arch Bridge is a flagship infrastructure and public‑welfare project under the Belt and Road Initiative, intended to deepen China‑Georgia cooperation, stimulate regional trade, and generate economic growth along the corridor. The project management team will continue rigorous safety, quality, and schedule controls to bring the bridge into service as soon as possible.