Tbilisi City Hall has officially announced an international tender valued at GEL 416.5 million (approximately €140 million) for the design and construction of a new tram line connecting Didi Digomi with the Didube Metro Station. The project is a historic step toward reviving tram transport in the Georgian capital after several decades.
The planned 7.5-kilometer line, featuring 11 stops, will run primarily through the central section of Davit Agmashenebeli Alley, an area currently designated as a green zone. While City Hall has yet to specify the potential impact on green spaces.
Under the Design-Build (DB) model, the selected contractor will be responsible for both the design and construction phases. The entire project is expected to take 36 months, including 24 months of construction. The range of work includes topographic and geodetic surveys, soil and engineering studies, passenger flow analysis and the design of all supporting infrastructure, from the tram depot and administrative facilities to technical service centers, contact lines and safety systems equipped with modern signaling and automation technology.
Notably, the current tender does not cover the procurement of the tram vehicles themselves. The Tbilisi Transport Company will launch a separate tender to purchase 10 modern tram units, estimated to cost an additional GEL 200 million, bringing the total investment for the tram system’s revival to over GEL 600 million. Each tram will accommodate at least 300 passengers, significantly improving the connection between Didi Digomi’s 3rd and 4th microdistricts and the Didube Metro hub.
Eligible bidders must demonstrate prior experience, having completed at least two tram line projects since 2010. The deadline for bid submissions is December 22, with the approved conceptual design due within three months of contract signing. Detailed designs are expected within nine months, after which the two-year construction phase will begin.
