Israel National Roads Company Ltd. today published the NIS 2.5 billion tender for the construction of the bridges over the valley by Motza, to eliminate the infamous "death curve" on Road 1 near the western entrance to Jerusalem.
The project calls for the construction of two 800-meter bridges, each with three lanes, and will take into account the unique landscape and historical sites in the area. Construction is due to begin in 2013. The bridges will directly connect with the Harel Tunnel beneath the Castel, thereby greatly reducing the steep gradients on Road 1 between the Motza curve and the Harel Interchange, and on the final climb into Jerusalem.
Minister of Transport Yisrael Katz said that this was one of the ministry's most important infrastructure projects. He said that the upgrade of Road 1 (the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway) would improve traffic flow on one of the country's most important traffic arteries, and ease congestion by eliminating the need to slow down at the approach to the curve, and the narrowing of the road in the direction to Jerusalem from three lanes to two.
Roads Company general manager Shay Baras said, "The tender requires the bidders to use the time-cost method to compete for both the lowest cost and shortest construction time. The objective is to complete the project as soon as possible to minimize the disruption to the public."
The Roads Company, which is responsible for the Road 1 upgrade, has already announced the winners of two tenders for the project: Mordechai Binyamin & Sons Earthworks (1993) Ltd. will upgrade the 6.5 kilometer stretch between Sha'ar Hagai and Shoresh, and Gili and Yoel Azaria Ltd. won the tender to upgrade the stretch from Shoresh to the Hemed Interchange by Abou Ghosh.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 1, 2012
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