S6 highway (Georgia)

The Georgian S6 route (Georgian: საერთაშორისო მნიშვნელობის გზა ს6, Saertashoriso mnishvnelobis gza S6, road of international importance), also known as PonichalaMarneuli–Guguti (Armenian border), is a "road of international importance" within the Georgian road network and runs from Ponichala in Tbilisi via Marneuli and Bolnisi to the border with Armenia near Guguti over a distance of 98 kilometres (61 mi).[1] After crossing the Georgian-Armenian border the highway continues as M3 to Vanadzor and Ashtarak, northwest of Yerevan.

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S6
საერთაშორისო 6
Ponichala–Marneuli–Guguti
Bolnisi 075.jpg
S6 near Bolnisi
Route information
Part of
Length98 km[1] (61 mi)
Major junctions
North endPonichala (Tbilisi) ()
Major intersections(km)

18 Sh31 to Tsalka

28 Sh33 to Tsalka

     S7 to Sadakhlo Armenia

     Sh163 to Algeti

74 Sh68 to Dmanisi
South endArmenian border (Guguti)
Armenia ()
Location
Georgia
MunicipalitiesTbilisi, Gardabani, Tetritskaro, Marneuli, Bolnisi, Dmanisi
Highway system
  • Roads in Georgia

The S6 highway is entirely part of European E117 route xwhile the Ponichala to Marneuli segment is also part of the Asian AH81 highway. The route connects with the Georgian S4 highway at its northern terminus in Ponichala and with the S7 highway in Marneuli. Furthermore, the road is mostly located in the Kvemo Kartli region as a two lane road, while the three kilometers in Ponichala are located in the capital region with four lanes.

Background

Since the early 1980s the current S6 route was referred to as A304 within the Soviet road network, which extended to Gyumri via Tashir in the Armenian SSR (nowadays Armenian routes H31 and M1). In Marneuli the A304 connected with the A310 highway (Georgian S7 highway). Prior to the 1980s the route was one of the few Soviet roads to have a number, highway 16, which ran from Vladikavkaz (Ordzhonikidze) via Tbilisi to Gyumri (Leninakan).

In the first years since Georgia regained independence in 1991, the Soviet route designations were maintained until the road numbering system was revised in 1996 and the "roads of international importance" (S-)category was introduced. Then the "S7 PonichalaMarneuli–Guguti (Armenian border)" replaced the A304 designation.[2]

The S6 is part of the most popular route between Tbilisi and Yerevan, with most traffic taking the Georgian S7 highway in Marneuli which offers alternative routes within Armenia.

Future

As of 2021 there are no plans to upgrade the S6 highway to higher standards or capacity. Most noteworthy is the 2020 rehabilitation of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) between Saparlo and Guguti (Armenian border). This section was in a very poor condition.[3]

Route

The S6 highway branches off the S4 highway in Ponitchala at the south side of Tbilisi. For the first 4 km within the Tbilisi capital region the road has 4 lanes with a median. Upon entering the Kvemo Kartli region it narrows to a 2 lane highway. Until the town of Marneuli the road passes a few villages, while at Koda the important Sh31 regional highway to Tsalka and Ninotsminda branches off. The centre of Marneuli is an important crossroads. The S7 highway to Armenia begins at the central roundabout in town. This is the most popular way to Armenia from Tbilisi. The S6 continues to Bolnisi and passes through a string of villages. After Bolnisi the road turns south towards Armenia and passes some important historic sites in Georgian history.

Intersections

The entire S6 route overlaps with E117. 

RegionMunicipalitykmmi DestinationsRouteNotes
City of Tbilisi00.0Right junctionTbilisi
Rustavi / Red Bridge (Azerbaijan)
ს 4 ( E117)
ს 4 ( AH81)North end AH81 overlap
42.5Tbilisi city limits
Kvemo KartliTetritsqaro1811Right junctionTsalka შ 31
Marneuli2516Marneuli town limits
2817RoundaboutTsalka
Sadakhlo / Armenia Armenia
Algeti
შ 33
ს 7 ( E001 / AH81)South end AH81 overlap
შ 163
3119Marneuli town limits
Bolnisi3622Left junction Kolagiri fortress შ 156
3723Crosses Khrami River (120 m)
6138CrossingDzveli Kveshi შ 155
6239Crosses Geta River (70 m)
7043Passes Sakdrisi gold mine and archeological site
Dmanisi7446RoundaboutVardisubani / Dmanisi შ 68
7748Crosses Mashavera River
7848 Passes Dmanisi historic and archeological site
9861Armenia Armenian border checkpoint. Road continues as ( E117) to Vanadzor and Ashtarak
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References

  1. "2014 List of highways of international and domestic importance" (in Georgian). The Legislative Herald of Georgia. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. "On Approval of Indicators and List for Determination of International, Domestic and Local Roads of Georgia (1996)" (in Georgian). The Legislative Herald of Georgia. 16 December 1996. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  3. "Rehabilitation of 13 km long Ponichala-Marneuli-Guguti road is at completion stage". Roads Department of Georgia. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
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