In Dagestan, work is underway on the construction of a new segment of the R-217 «Kavkaz» federal highway from kilometre marker 917 to kilometre 949, which will bypass the city of Derbent. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2028.
The new section will begin at the exit from Mamedkala settlement, bypassing the town of Dagestanskie Ogni and the city of Derbent and connect with the main route of the R-217 at the exit of Arablinskoye village. The route was designed with careful consideration for the cultural heritage sites, urban boundaries and the territory of the Jalan Nature Park.

The key features of this road include: - Four lanes with a width of 15 meters
- Four two-level interchange points
- Four flyovers
- Two tunnels beneath Derbent historic wall

An extensive network of electric lighting will be deployed along the entire 33-kilometre section. The route will feature eight bus stops and three elevated pedestrian crossings, catering to the needs of residents in close proximity to the motorway. To mitigate the impact of traffic noise on these communities, noise barriers will be erected to create a buffer zone.

The current two-lane segment of the Kavkaz Motorway is currently experiencing significant strain due to increased vehicular traffic. It is projected that by the year 2041, the daily average traffic volume could surge to 30,000 vehicles. The new bypass will be designed to accommodate up to 35,000 cars per day.