Approximately 1,400 Armenian trucks are currently stranded near the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russia-Georgia border. According to the Road Traffic Management Center of North Ossetia, the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars international highway remains open to all vehicles. However, adverse weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, continue to cause significant delays.
Recent reports indicate that 4,654 vehicles are queued to pass through the checkpoint, of which 1,359 belong to Armenian transport operators. These delays are creating substantial challenges for freight carriers and their trading partners, disrupting supply chains and causing financial losses.
The prolonged waiting times are particularly problematic for perishable goods, as delays can result in deterioration of product quality. Customs and transport authorities are urging drivers and freight companies to monitor weather forecasts and plan their routes accordingly. They also recommend utilizing alternative routes, where possible, to mitigate the impact of congestion on commercial activities.
Georgia is working on the construction of a 9-kilometer tunnel to bypass the hazardous Gudauri-Kobi section of the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars highway. This project aims to improve road conditions and reduce the likelihood of such traffic congestion in the future.