Georgia renovates road to Akhalkalaki

Georgia has launched a renovated road from Tbilisi to Akhalkalaki, reports GHN news agency.

The opening ceremony took place on Monday attended by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Akhalkalaki is a small city in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javahketi with a population of 60,975. Located about 30 km from the border with Turkey 90 percent of the city's population are ethnic Armenians. The city was passed from Ottomans to Russians after Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829).

The 224km-long roadway will enable travelers to get to Tbilisi within 2.5 hours instead of 8 hours before renovation.

Sponsored by the US Government the Millennium Challenges foundation the renovation has cost $209 million USD.

The renovation has lasted about 2 years.