Israel Railways is considering doubling the number of tracks on the coastal route between Haifa and Herzliya from two to four. The idea is provisional, and no feasibility studies or planning have been carried out.
However, it is clear that such a project would allow Israel Railways to greatly improve service, for example by preventing the shutting down of the heavily used line in cases of accidents or the carrying out of urgent maintenance, such as the recent repair of three bridges.
The laying of two more train tracks along the coastal route will involve complicated planning procedures and approvals, and it will probably require extensive expropriation of land, most of which is in high-demand areas. However, in the Kfar Shmaryahu area, Israel Railways could benefit from the construction of Road 531, which is currently underway, and which will include laying a track from Kfar Saba that will join the coastal route at Rishpon.
The coastal route is the only line which currently links central Israel with the north. The route currently handles both passenger and cargo traffic, but cargo traffic is due to switch to the eastern line, which is due to be built along Road 6 (the Cross-Israel Highway).
Cross Israel Highway Company is moving ahead on the eastern line. The coastal line was originally built by the Turks in 1913, and later expanded by the British during the Mandate, and then by Israel in the 1950s.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 26, 2013
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