Georgian Road Network Restored for Heavy Traffic After Snowfall, With Borders Reopened
Following a spell of heavy snow, the Georgian Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure announced that key routes leading to the country’s borders with Armenia and Turkey have been opened to heavy trucks. The department’s press service confirmed the development, noting that the movement of large freight vehicles along several crucial corridors has resumed. TASS reported the official update from Tbilisi authorities, underscoring the importance of these routes for regional trade and logistics.
Specifically, heavy trailers and semi-trailers are now able to traverse the Khashuri-Akhaltsikhe-Vale corridor toward the Turkish border, the Akhalkalaki-Kartsakhi route into Turkey, and the Akhaltsikhe-Ninotsminda pathway toward Armenia. These arteries had been temporarily blocked to heavy vehicle traffic due to the severe snowstorm that affected the region, disrupting cross-border freight flows and prompting authorities to implement safety-focused travel restrictions while snow removal operations took place.
Prior to the reopening, portions of several routes associated with Georgia’s Military Highway connecting to the Russian Federation remained closed because of adverse weather. The Gudauri-Kobi and Mleta-Gudauri segments, in particular, were completely shut down for some time, reflecting the challenging winter conditions that affected the mountain corridor and the safety considerations required for heavy vehicle travel through high-altitude terrain.
In a separate update from February 2, the North Ossetia Emergencies Ministry reported that traffic through the Upper Lars border checkpoint had been closed and subsequently reopened multiple times as weather and road conditions fluctuated. The ongoing cycle of closures and reopenings highlighted the dynamic nature of border travel in the region during winter weather, and authorities performed continuous assessments to balance the needs of commerce with traveler safety.
Regional officials stressed that road services and border control bodies would maintain heightened monitoring during the winter season. They advised freight operators to verify current conditions before departure and to comply with any temporary restrictions that might be reintroduced as storms or snowfalls recede and road crews complete ongoing clearance work. The coordinated effort between Georgian agencies and neighboring state authorities aims to ensure reliable freight movement while preserving road safety for all road users. In comments cited by TASS, officials emphasized the critical role these routes play for regional economies and outlined the measures in place to support rapid restoration of traffic when weather permits.
Looking ahead, authorities signaled expectations that the affected corridors would continue to operate with improved reliability as snow removal progress and weather forecasts indicate stability. The reopening of these major gateways is welcomed by logistics providers, shippers, and cross-border traders who rely on predictable transport schedules to move goods efficiently across the region. The situation underscores the importance of responsive state infrastructures that can adapt quickly to seasonal challenges and sustain international commerce even amid harsh winter conditions.