Central streets in Tbilisi will be temporarily closed on May 17 due to a march marking Family Purity Day — city authorities are urging drivers to plan their routes in advance.
The procession will begin at 11:00 AM near the Kashveti Church and proceed along Rustaveli Avenue toward the Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral. Consequently, traffic restrictions will be in effect in the center of the capital from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Where traffic will be restricted:
- Gia Chanturia Street (from the intersection with Rustaveli to Freedom Square);
- Baratashvili Bridge;
- The section from Baratashvili Rise to Avlabari Square;
- A number of streets in the Mtatsminda district and the city center, including Lesya Ukrainka, Dzordzadze, Chichinadze, 9 April, Purtseladze, and Lado Gudiashvili streets.
Important for drivers:
- Rustaveli Avenue will be partially closed; traffic will be permitted only as far as Chanturia Street;
- Freedom Square will be restricted: access is possible only up to the ramp at the Baratashvili Bridge and, from the Rustaveli side, as far as Chanturia Street;
- Access from Kote Afkhazi and Shalva Dadiani streets toward Freedom Square will be closed.
How to bypass the center:
Authorities suggest using alternative routes:
- From Rustaveli toward Mtatsminda — via Tarkhanishvili, Chovelidze, and Zandukeli streets;
- Continuing via Barnov, Gogebashvili, Makashvili, and the Kakabadze Brothers streets;
- Toward Melikishvili Avenue and the Rustaveli metro station — via Griboedov, Makashvili, Barnov, Zandukeli, and Shanidze streets;
- To reach the right bank of the Mtkvari (Kura) River — via Chanturia and Soliko Virsaladze streets.
The Tbilisi City Hall emphasizes that the primary restrictions will be in effect during the morning and afternoon hours; therefore, drivers are advised to account for the closures in advance and avoid the city center during this period if possible.