Just before October 7th, it seems that the State of Israel was on the right track in regards to large infrastructure projects that we have all been dreaming about for years.
In Gush Dan, the red line of the light rail was launched and the groups were selected for the construction of the green and purple lines, when some of the works are already visible in the field.
In Jerusalem, the winner was chosen for the establishment of the blue line and its operation, while simultaneously preparations are being made for the extension of the red line and the establishment of the green line.
just the beginning
The Red Line in Tel Aviv. Photo: Gideon Markowitz
Israel Railways continued to equip itself following the sharp and constant increase in passengers, while promoting the eastern track and continuing the development and construction of the huge electrification project of the entire network, and we were even on the verge of the finish line in choosing the winner to build the light rail line between Haifa and Nazareth.
And all this even before we talked about the metro locomotive that has long since left the Ministry of Finance and Transportation and at the end of August the winners of the tender for planning and managing the lines at a cost of NIS 8 billion were even chosen.
An electric locomotive in Israel Railways service., Photo: Yossi Zeliger
Due to the complexity of these projects, their cost and the knowledge required to establish them, quite a few international companies have been entrusted with their promotion, some of which have been operating here for many years and some of which are new to the Israeli landscape.
In addition to international knowledge and experience, the question of the commitment of those companies to continue development and construction even in difficult times, times of war, was put to the test in recent months.
A sign of strength and durability
The Alstom global company is an example of a body that decided to continue the engagement with Israel even in the current reality.
Recently, in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety Moshe Ben Zaken, the Regional President of Alstom, Andrew Dolon, and the Director General of Alstom Israel, Eran Cohen, a purchase agreement worth approximately 1.7 billion euros was signed for the extensive equipping of 81 double-decker wagons and - 81 electric cars according to the procurement plan presented by the railway management.
"The agreement shows that Alstom believes in the strength and stability of the Israeli economy even in times of war," said Ben Zaken.
This is a program that aims to improve the service for passengers and handle the heavy loads.
The new cars will add about 22 million seats annually.
Ben Zaken added that Israel Railways has experienced a significant and continuous increase in demand in recent years.
According to him, the current equipping process will make it possible to increase the number of trips from 70 million in 2019 to about 105 million in 2025, and 300 million in 2040.
This week, an agreement was also signed for the total purchase of 96 double-decker cars made by the French Alstom, including cars specially furnished for traveling with bicycles.
These will allow all trains of this type to be extended to 8 cars.
Also, this move will make it possible to take out of service single-decker trains with a lower capacity compared to the new ones.
The installation work of the wagons is done in Beer Sheva.
The French Alstom also provides support for the red line systems of the light rail in Tel Aviv and was chosen to establish the green line of the light rail in Gush Dan together with Electra and Dan.
An international effort in the metro
In accordance with the spirit of support that Germany has been careful to give to Israel since the beginning of the war, the German company Siemens has also announced that it will continue to operate and maintain the new railcars of its manufacture that were delivered to Israel Railways at all times, even during the fighting.
The electric sleds made by the German Siemens will join 24 sets that have been operating for about two years, and 36 more sets that are expected to start arriving in Israel during this year.
The double-decker cars made by Alstom will join the 580 Siemens cars in the fleet.
The entire process of entering service with the Israel Railways is carried out by the company at the "Depot", the railway garage in an area that is not quiet at all - in the city of Ashkelon.
Caf, the Spanish railway company, continues to operate the light rail line in Jerusalem, at the same time as work continues on its extensions to Hadassah and Neve Ya'akov.
The war also did not harm Cuff's efforts to start the construction of the green line in the capital and the purple line in the Gush Dan light rail.
Also in the planning of the "line manager" of the three metro lines M1 M2 M3, international companies such as WSP from England - which is considered one of the leading engineering services firms in the world - and the French artelia take part.
The Italians decided on a military boycott of the IDF, but not of the infrastructure, and thus the Italian mmspa also takes part in the project.
And what about the Chinese?
The CRRC company, the supplier of the light rail cars on the Red Line in Tel Aviv, continues to maintain the cars and take them out of the "depot" in Petach Tikva to the operating authority "Tevel", this despite the complex political situation between the Chinese regime and Israel.
Another Chinese company, cscec, which is making the tunnel under Evan Gvirol, also continues to make progress in the works as it did before the war.
One tunnel has been completed between Levisnki and Carlebach and now the company's people are working on the opposite direction.
At the same time, even though the lack of Chinese workers, who take part in significant systems on the Red Line, does not currently harm the service to passengers, the company and NTA are definitely following the developments in this area with concern.
Electrification will be delayed
Along with the companies that continued their activities in Israel, it was announced at the beginning of the war that the electrification of the Israel Railways is expected to be delayed after the international Spanish company entrusted with the works is not expected to return its employees who left at the beginning of the hostilities.
The completion of the electricity network is supposed to be completed in 2025 and there is a fear that it will be delayed.
Some of the trains to the north and south, for those who have forgotten, still run with polluting diesel engines.
"The foreign companies should stand by us even in difficult times," said Minister Regev following the Spanish company's announcement, "and they should know that their abandonment when it is possible to continue working, will affect future engagements."
Israel Railways stated: "Like other companies in Israel, the Spanish company reduced the number of Spanish employees in Israel and they are expected to return in the near future."
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