ArmInfo. Taking into account the enormous costs that the participants of export-import operations in Armenia periodically suffer when closing the only land road of the checkpoint , the Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan Kerobnya promised that he will do everything possible to provide both road and rail alternatives to Lars. The Minister said this in an interview with the Public Television of Armenia.
In this regard, he said that there are already several options, including in the context of unblocking transport communications. However, at this stage, according to Kerobyan, work is underway on a specific project, an alternative to Upper Lars, not related to the "political" unblocking of roads. Without opening the brackets, the minister only indicated that this alternative provides for regular communication with Russia, not related to the state of Upper Lars.
It should be noted that the international highway Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars (Georgian Military Road) connects two Transcaucasian states-Georgia and Armenia with the Russian Federation, being an absolutely non-alternative highway primarily for Armenia. At the same time, the border checkpoint is the only current border crossing point on the border of Georgia and Russia.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that at the beginning of March, the media reported that in Georgia in the spring will begin the construction of a new section of the Georgian Military Road, which will ensure uninterrupted traffic across the border and will reduce the regular traffic jams. It was reported that the road, with a length of 22.7 km, will be built on the Kvesheti-Kobi section. In addition, six bridges and five tunnels will be built. The new road will be a detour on the way to Upper Lars. The plans of the Georgian authorities to solve the problem of Upper Lars became known on January 19. Perhaps the Minister of Economy of Armenia spoke about this alternative.
