Israel Railways reached a major landmark in the construction of the high-speed railway to Jerusalem - the first line to run on electricity. The company began laying tracks on the western section of the line, in the Ayalon Valley region.
The project is estimated to cost around NIS 7 billion, including the construction of two 56-kilometer tracks from Tel Aviv’s HaHagana Station to the entrance of Jerusalem, near the International Convention Center, as well as five tunnels - totaling 20 kilometers - and eight bridges.
Israel Railways also announced Monday that work was completed on the final section of the Negev line - between Ashkelon and Beersheva. The project connected the rail from Ashkelon to the Goral Junction and to the existing railway in Beersheva, as well as the national rail network.
Israel Railways CEO Boaz Tzafrir said Monday, “The Negev railway is first and foremost a Zionist project. The direct line between Ashkelon to Be’er Sheva through Sderot, Netivot, and Ofakim - will boost employment in southern Israel, attract young couples to the region, and increase the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of southern Israelis.”
He added: “Alongside that project, we recently began laying the new tracks on the high-speed railway to Jerusalem, where the development work has been going at an accelerated pace. It’s a vision which is now becoming a reality.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 3, 2015
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2015