The cost of widening the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway (Road 1) will cost an estimated NIS 2.5 billion, and work will take four years, said sources responsible for the project.
The plan includes a 700-meter tunnel under the Castel and replacement of the Motza interchange with a bridge. The plan has aroused objections by residents of communities in the area.
The National Infrastructures Committee is discussing the plan, which will be sent to the local planning and building commissions along the route. The Jerusalem Regional Planning and Building Commission recently advised the National Infrastructures Committee not to replace the Motza interchange.
The plan to widen the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway is a key component of Israel National Roads Company Ltd. five-year plan, which "Globes" recently disclosed. The Roads Company plans to add a third lane along the 16-kilometer stretch between Shaar Hagai at the entrance to the Judean Mountains and Motza. In addition to the Castel tunnel and the Motza bridge, the plan includes building a new entrance road into Jerusalem, Road 16.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 10, 2010
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