Traffic to be Restricted on Rustaveli Avenue for Filming Fast and Furious 9 Shooting
Traffic movement will be restricted on Rustaveli Avenue, one of the main streets of Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, from today due to the filming of the well-known Hollywood blockbuster Fast and Furious 9.
Traffic movement on Rustaveli Avenue will be restricted from August 26 until September 1.
In particular, on August 26, from 11 pm, Liberty (Freedom) Square to the former Post Office building will be closed to traffic. The flow of traffic coming from Avlabari will move via Baratashvili Bridge to Liberty Square, as well as from Orbeliani Square to Tabukashvili Street.
The flow of traffic from Rustaveli Metro Station will be able to move to the former Post Office building and continue on to Republic Square. Traffic will be banned on all streets connected to Rustaveli Avenue. The traffic flow from the Upper Vera District will use the Griboedovi and Barnovi streets to cross Rustaveli Avenue.
Officers of the Patrol Police Department will regulate the flow of vehicles in order to avoid traffic jams and ensure safety. If necessary, patrol inspectors will inform drivers about alternative routes.
The filming of the ninth chapter of Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious began in Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi on August 19 and will last until September 20. Traffic will be gradually restricted on some streets of the capital due to the shooting of a 10-minute segment for Fast and Furious 9.
Part of Vazha Pshavela Avenue - from Metro Station Medical University to Delisi Metro Station has already been closed. Until August 27 public transport will move through alternative routes there, while pedestrians can walk on Vazha Pshavela Street from 21:00 PM to 07:00 AM.
The shootings in Georgia are to be carried out by Georgian production company Enkeny Films.
A number of government agencies, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia and Tbilisi City Hall, have been working closely with Universal Pictures, Enkeny Films and the film’s production team to organize filming of an action scene that features a car chase through some of the city’s iconic and best-known areas. As the main liaison for the Georgian government, the State agency Enterprise Georgia is responsible for coordinating communication and film making processes with these and other government stakeholders.
The decision to shoot in Georgia was made during a visit of officials from Hollywood film producing companies HBO and Universal Pictures in April.
The visit was initiated and organized by the agency Enterprise Georgia, a government institution focused on increasing the competitiveness of private sector, enhancing country’s export potential and promoting/supporting foreign direct investments in Georgia.
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By Ana Dumbadze