ArmInfo. Russia begins reconstruction of the Upper Lars checkpoint.
The reconstruction of the Upper Lars checkpoint on the border with Georgia will be completed by 2023 within the framework of the international cooperation and export national project. In 2021, almost 2 billion rubles will be allocated for the modernization of the checkpoint. "Work on the reconstruction of the Upper Lars checkpoint - the design and estimate documentation is under examination, which should be completed in September. Construction and installation work is planned to begin in 2021. According to preliminary estimates, 1.9 billion rubles should be allocated for 2021," the press service of the regional road management committee told TASS, noting that the completion of this work is scheduled for 2022. Currently, the checkpoint is working in an extremely intense mode - with a design capacity of about 4 thousand people a day, more than 13 thousand people cross the border. The actual capacity for passenger cars is more than 15 times the design capacity, and for trucks - three times. In addition to reconstruction, it is necessary to build a new inspection and inspection complex and expand the roadway from two to four lanes in order to distribute traffic flows by type of vehicle. "The best way is to introduce an electronic control ticket system, as well as to create a comfortable waiting area in front of a checkpoint with the introduction of an electronic queue system," the press service explained, specifying that this will help avoid traffic jams at the border. "Kazbegi - Upper Lars" is the only checkpoint on the Georgian-Russian border.
To recall, the only land route connecting Armenia with Russia runs through the Upper Lars checkpoint. Problems with the accumulation of trucks in the winter season, and passenger cars in the summer, associated with both the throughput of the customs point and ice, rainstorms and landslides on the Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Lars highway, have become the "everyday life" of Armenian carriers. In this regard, in parallel, there are talks about the prospect of opening an alternative road.