On October 25, media outlets such as On.ge, MarneuliNews.ge, CNews Exclusive, Info Imereti, as well as Facebook pages (1,2), and individual users (1,2,3) shared a photo allegedly depicting a traffic jam at the Tbilisi exit on the night of October 25. The posts suggested that the traffic jam was caused by citizens traveling to the regions to cast their votes.
The viral photo was not taken on October 25; it has been circulating since at least 2022 and shows the road leading into Tbilisi rather than the exit. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the highway heading west from Tbilisi was indeed congested on the night of October 25.
In the photo, one can see a Rompetrol gas station, two unfinished buildings, umbrellas in front of one building, a coffee cup-shaped banner, and street lighting. Given the overhead view, the photo was likely taken from a pedestrian bridge.
This specific location is on Agmashenebeli Avenue near the Lexus Tbilisi center.
It is also possible to see the location using Google maps.
A Google Maps image from October 2024 shows that one of the buildings, previously under construction in this photo, has been completed. Additionally, the same photo appeared on Ambebi.ge on December 23, 2022, in an article about traffic congestion across various locations in Tbilisi.
Notably, it is indeed true that on October 25, traffic was heavy on the route leading west from Tbilisi.
The photos are taken on the highway from Tbilisi to the West
Source: Myth Detector
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