Trans-Caucasus Highway
Encyclopedia
The Transcaucasian Highway, usually shortened as Transkam (Russian: ТрансКАМ), is a mountain road that crosses the Greater Caucasus
through the Roki Tunnel
, connecting North Ossetia-Alania
with South Ossetia
and Russia
with Georgia
. It was constructed between 1971 and 1981 as an alternative to the older Georgian Military Road
and Ossetian Military Road
. In the winter months the road is often closed due to the danger of avalanche
s.
Greater Caucasus
Greater Caucasus , sometimes translated as "Caucasus Major", "Big Caucasus" or "Large Caucasus") is the major mountain range of the Caucasus Mountains....
through the Roki Tunnel
Roki Tunnel
The Roki Tunnel is a mountain tunnel of the Transkam road through the Greater Caucasus Mountains, north of the village Upper Roka. It is the only road joining North Ossetia-Alania in the Russian Federation into South Ossetia, a breakaway republic of Georgia...
, connecting North Ossetia-Alania
North Ossetia-Alania
The Republic of North Ossetia–Alania is a federal subject of Russia . Its population according to the 2010 Census was 712,877.-Name:...
with South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
with Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. It was constructed between 1971 and 1981 as an alternative to the older Georgian Military Road
Georgian Military Road
The Georgian Military Road is the historic name for a major route through the Caucasus from Georgia to Russia. Alternative routes across the mountains include the Ossetian Military Road and the Transkam.-Route:...
and Ossetian Military Road
Ossetian Military Road
The Ossetian Military Road was constructed, between 1854 and 1889, by Imperial Russian authorities in the Caucasus. The road runs through the Rioni and Ardon river valleys and links Kutaisi, Georgia with Alagir, Russian Federation, crossing the Greater Caucasus crest through the Mamison Pass...
. In the winter months the road is often closed due to the danger of avalanche
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
s.