The scenic light rail from Haifa to Nazareth/cross Israel
Only two months ago, the Ministry of Finance asked to cancel the "Nofit" light rail project, the light rail from Haifa to the Galilee and Nazareth, on the grounds that the dispersion of the population in light of the intended route does not justify investing in an expensive light rail and that it is possible to be satisfied with a metro line based on buses and separate routes and save the state coffers NIS 2 billion, and spend NIS 5.5 billion instead of NIS 7.5 billion.
The proposal came in the wake of the great budgetary needs created by the war of iron swords, and after professionals claim that the planning of the line is not ideal because most of its stations will be built outside the communities it will serve and that travel times on it will be too long.
Despite this, pressure exerted by Transport Minister Miri Regev led to the cancellation of the decision.
This is the first light rail that the state will build outside of the center of the country, as part of closing the gaps between the center and the periphery.
Today, the group that will carry out the project was selected: Alstom, Electra and Minerv.
The three beat a team of Shapir and CAF, a team of Komsa, Dan, Dania and Skoda, and a third team of Shikon and Binoy, Egged Stadler and Hitachi.
The project is already in the initial stages of preparing the infrastructure.
Alstom, Electra and Minerv will be responsible for the planning, construction, supply and installation of all the railway systems of the project, including signaling, communication, electrification, ticketing and passenger information systems;
on the construction of the tracks, the stations, a maintenance and parking complex (depot) and a control center;
On the purchase of the wagons and the equipment and on the operation and maintenance of the line for a period of about 25 years.
The works are expected to start during the next year and will last about 4 years.
The project aims to provide a response to the expected increase in the population and employment needs in the northern metropolis.
By the year 2040, the population of the Nazareth urban block is expected to grow by about 40%, and in Shafaram and Kiryat Ata by about 70%.
The expected increase in employment for this period is about 60%.
Map of the light rail from Haifa to Nazareth/cross Israel
The length of the light rail line in the north will be about 41 km, and it will include about 20 stations, some with adjacent park and ride parking lots, a depot complex and a control center. About 30 trains will operate on the line with a maximum frequency of every 4 minutes, and it is expected to travel about 100,000 people a day, at a travel speed of up to 100 km/h in the intercity sections.
The route starts at Hafaretz Central Station in Haifa and continues through Kiryat Ata, Shafaram, Bir El Maksor, Reina, Nof HaGilil to Ziad Street in Nazareth.
Regev said today that "Four leading and reputable groups, each of which represents Israeli and international cooperation, approached the tender, with an impressive expression of confidence in the strength, stability and future of the Israeli economy. On behalf of the residents of the north and all residents of Israel, I congratulate the winning group and promise to assist in all A way for this important project to be completed as soon as possible and bring significant change to the entire northern region."
Simulation of the Mount Yona Northern light rail station/official website, -
Eran Cohen, CEO of Alstom Israel stated that: "We welcome the win and the expression of trust of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transportation and the Chutsa Israel Company in the group and in the operation.
For over three decades, Alstom has been leading the largest transportation projects in Israel.
The light rail project that will connect Haifa to Nazareth is a significant project that is another step on the way to the transportation revolution in Israel and a real engine of growth for the entire northern region."
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Light Rail