Section of Highway 1 to close Thursday night

During the night work, drivers are asked to avoid using Highway 1

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
The high-speed railway that will link Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS)
The high-speed railway that will link Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
(photo credit: RONEN ZVULUN / REUTERS)
On Thursday at 10 p.m., a section of Highway 1 between Latrun and Jerusalem – near the Harel Interchange at Mevaseret Zion – will be closed for 12 hours to finalize work on two 800-meter tunnels with three lanes in each direction, which will replace the current interchange.
The Harel Tunnels are one of the centerpieces of the NIS 2.5 billion upgrade of Highway 1 between Sha’ar Hagai and Jerusalem, which will reduce the driving time between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to 35 minutes.
The widening of the road between Sha’ar Hagai and the new Hemed Interchange has already been completed, with a new interchange at Neve Ilan added.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said traffic police will be on hand to redirect drivers via alternate routes, until the highway reopens at 10 a.m. on Friday.
During the night work, drivers are asked to avoid using Highway 1. For more information, contact the Police Information Center, at 110.
Globes contributed to this report.