Israel National Roads Co. today published the tender for the Harel Tunnels on Road 1 (Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway) beneath the Harel Interchange near Castel and Mevasseret Zion. The tender is part of the project to upgrade Road 1 between Sha'ar Hagai and Jerusalem.
Minister of Transport Israel Katz said that the Harel Interchange, which was built decades ago, will be bypassed. Instead there will be 650 meter twin tunnels, which will run beneath the Harel Interchange at Mevasseret Zion. Each tunnel will have three lanes and broad shoulders.
The tunnels will cut the journey time between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and reduce gasoline consumption and air pollution. Near the new interchange at Ein Hemed to the west of the tunnels will be a "park and drive" facility for visitors to Jerusalem wishing to travel to the city by bus.
The vast amount of stone mined from the tunnels will be recycled to fill the Arazim Valley to the east. The entire project will cost NIS 2.5 billion.
The tender will be granted on a design and build basis with the contractor fulfilling the specifications of the Israel National Roads Co. This method will enable the participation of consortia of Israeli firms and overseas companies that have gained the know-how and experience in building tunnels.
Last week a tender was published for the upgrading of a six kilometer stretch of Road 1 between the Sha'ar Hagai and the Shoresh Interchanges. This tender includes elevating the road and widening it to three lanes as well as a bridge across the highway for the safe passage of wildlife.
The overall project also includes cutting out the notoriously dangerous Motza curve beneath Mevasseret Zion and instead building two parallel 800 meter bridges, each with three lanes. These bridges will make the journey to Jerusalem faster and safer.
Israel National Roads chairman Yair Shamir described the new road to Jerusalem as the company's flagship project.
Published by Globes, Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 28, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012