The National Infrastructures Committee plans to deposit one of Israel's most important transportation plans: the widening of Road 2 (the Coastal Highway) between Havatzelet Interchange north of Netanya to the Zichron Yaakov Interchange. Work on the first stretch, between Avihayil and Havatzelet has already begun, resulting in severe traffic jams.
To prevent severe congestion on the highway between Tel Aviv and Haifa, transport experts agree that the highway needs three or even four lanes in each direction. But the widening of the highway between Avihayil and Havatzelet, and then to Beit Yanay would cause bitter fights over land expropriations, which are impossible. The transport experts believe that the consolidation of infrastructures along a single conduit is the necessary long-term solution.
The planning experts and environmentalists agree that the main victim of the Coastal Highway is the Sharon Park between Nahal Alexander and Hadera, between the beach and the inland Road 4.
The widening of the nine-kilometer stretch of the Coastal Highway between Avihayil and Givat Olga-Hadera will be arduous, in no small part because the work will take at least three years, and more likely at least five. Secondly, straightening the road involves dismantling 6.5 kilometers of road and rebuilding it, work which will involve detours and temporary roads. Third, if a fourth lane is later added in each direction, the stretch of road between Netanya and Havatzelet will have to be rebuilt, and the extra lane would run very close to homes in Beit Yanay and Beit Herut. Whatever the case, the widening of the Coastal Highway will be a multiyear nightmare for drivers.
There is an alternative to this, one that is supported by transportation experts and the residents of the communities in Emek Hefer (with the exception of Kfar Vitkin). They have submitted an opinion by economist David Boaz. Between Avihayil and Hadera is a transportation conduit through which the Tel Aviv-Haifa railway line runs. The tracks are being doubled to four and are being electrified. The conduit also includes an oil and a natural gas pipeline.
Under National Outline Plan 3 for roads, Road 2 between Avihayil and Givat Olga-Hadera should run along this conduit, effectively making a continuation of the Ayalon Highway (Road 20). This alternative involves building an eight-lane highway on the eight-kilometer stretch between Avihayil and Givat Olga, replacing the current section of Road 2 and bypassing the Emek Hefer communities from the east. Under this plan, when the work is completed, in three years, the section of the old road will be demolished, winning the support of environmental organizations.
Building a new and wider Coastal Highway along the infrastructure conduit has several big advantages: it will eliminate the need to build an interchange with the future Road 9; construction will not affect traffic on the current road, and traffic will not disrupt work; it will cost less and take less time; and it will cause less damage to the Sharon Park.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 9, 2013
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013