Batumi plans new traffic and parking rules: two tenders worth up to GEL 1 million

What the city is buying

Traffic and streets (GEL 495,000, one year after signing). Detailed schemes for road markings, signs, junctions, sidewalks and cycle lanes, plus bus lanes. The priority order is set out: pedestrians and cyclists first, then public transport, then private cars. Car lanes are to be narrowed where possible.

Parking (GEL 500,000, four months). A review of current parking policy, including subscriptions, tariffs, payments, fines and enforcement, and a preliminary plan for phased zonal, hourly paid parking. According to the documents, Batumi has no zonal hourly parking system today.

Why it matters for property

• If hourly zones are introduced, a flat's own parking space could become a stronger selling and letting point, especially in the centre.
• Bus lanes and narrower car lanes would change access to some streets. Once the schemes are published, check the plan for the street you are buying on.
• These are studies, not decisions: the tenders produce schemes and recommendations, and no date for changes has been set.

Batumelebi notes that earlier traffic schemes approved by the city largely did not deliver results (Batumelebi).