Within the construction of a 23 km-long Kvesheti-Kobi fragment of the road and 9 km-long tunnel, drilling and construction works commenced in Kobi.

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) was tailor-made for the construction of this site. It stands out with a minimum vibration during the operation, thus ensuring the safe construction process and minimum environmental impact. TBM also stands out with an ability to face-coat the tunnel during the actual drilling process.

Construction of a 23 km-long Kvesheti-Kobi fragment of the road and 9 km-long tunnel is the most important part of the modernization project turning this road into a North-South Highway Corridor. Project envisages the construction of a 2-lane asphalt-concrete road, 5 bridges, 5 tunnels and rehabilitation of 1 bridge. These include the longest tunnel - 9 km-long and 15 meter-wide - to be constructed in Georgia, which will be one of the unique ones throughout the world.

Current length of the road is 34 kilometers, while the new road will be 23 km-long, thus reducing the space by 11 kilometers. It will require 1 hour less to cover the road.

In addition, transit cargo will no longer pass the ski resort of Gudauri, thus easing the traffic and making the transportation safer, as trucks are currently using narrow roads in high-terrain region.

Total cost of the new road project between Kvesheti and Kobi is 1.2 BLN GEL. Construction works are implemented by the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia with financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Project is scheduled for completion in 2024. In addition, a 5 km-long access road to Gudauri will be built along with a touristic centre, thus making commuting safer and more comfortable, thereby increasing the tourism potential of the region.