Starting July 12, Tbilisi Metro’s Varketili station will shut down for 45 days for urgent rehabilitation work, Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced. This will allow for structural repairs that cannot be safely conducted while the station is operational.
The rehabilitation plan, prepared by Probuild Expert LLC with input from international experts, involves restoring the reinforced concrete ceiling and escalator tunnel, critical components compromised over time. The need for this work was confirmed by the Levan Samkharauli Expertise Bureau which identified additional issues during asbestos tile removal.
The Varketili station has faced several setbacks, with 2017 renovation failing when the ceiling collapsed in early 2018. A second contract was terminated in 2022 due to poor performance. In 2023, a new GEL 13.4 million agreement was signed with Bada Constructions LLC which is leading the current project.
Primary repair tasks include:
- Cleaning and reinforcing damaged ceiling surfaces
- Filling cavities behind the concrete arch
- Sealing joints to stop water infiltration
- Replacing deteriorated cast iron fastenings in the escalator tunnel
Although the full rehabilitation is expected to continue through late 2025, the most disruptive works are scheduled for completion by September 22, 2024, as the current construction contract dictates.
