The national infrastructures committee has conditionally approved the plan to build the Jezreel Valley Railway, at a cost of hundreds of millions of shekels. The railway route will stretch from Haifa to Beit Shean. Israel Railways will carry out the project.
At its most recent meeting, the committee discussed environmental, design, and landscaping aspects of the railway, its integration in Israel’s national and regional road system, and various municipal aspects.
One of the conditions, which is designed to minimize damage to the landscape in the Kishon area, is that the railway line must be low, and run parallel to the road west of the Tel Kashish interchange. The committee is passing the plan on to the Regional Planning and Building Boards for comment, before it is finally approved.
The committee heard a detailed review of the route , which will run from Haifa in vicinity of the Paz bridge through eight stations to Beit Shean. The committee decided to advocate the Jezreel Valley Railway plan, and present it to the public for objections.
Among other things, the committee decided that accompanying commercial space in a pedestrian mall would be allowed at the station in Haifa Bay. The committee will consider a station near Highway 75, including railway platforms.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 10, 2005