Sources inform ''Globes'' that the Jerusalem light rail project will be delayed again at the recommendation of the special advisor to the arbitrators, Judge Emeritus Boaz Okon and Adv. Dov Weissglass from April 7 to August 8.
The main reason for the delay is a dispute over trains' priority at traffic lights along the 14-kilometer route. Franchisee CityPass wants absolute priority over other vehicles, whereas the Jerusalem Municipality and the project's master plan team say that this would cause traffic jams, especially at major intersections.
During arbitration hearing in recent weeks, the parties reached a deal for absolute priority for trains at 80 of the 100 traffic lights along the railway's Red Line, and a three-month trial period at the other 20 traffic lights. During this period, experts will examine the effect of giving the trains priority throughout the day, after which the level of priority will be set for different hours of the day.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 19, 2010
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