Jerusalem-TA high-speed railway to be online in 2010
New train will cut travel time between the two cities in half, down to 28 minutes.
By ETGAR LEFKOVITSisrael train 88 248(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
The high-speed railway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which will cut travel time between the two cities to 28 minutes, will begin running only in 2010, the Jerusalem Municipality said this week.
The $750 million line, which is under construction, was originally scheduled to open in 2008.
Construction of an underground Jerusalem railway station between the city's International Convention Center and the central bus station will begin in the coming months, the city said.
The work in Jerusalem will be carried out by the city's Moriah Construction company, according to an agreement signed last week between Israel Railways and the Jerusalem Municipality.
The high-speed railway, which have stations in Modi'in and at Ben-Gurion International Airport, will be the fastest method of transportation between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The route will see the construction of a 2,400-meter tunnel and a 1,200-meter bridge at the entrance to the city, the municipality said.
Train service between the two cities, via Beit Shemesh, was renewed last year, after nearly seven years when the capital had no train service at all after the line was closed owing to poor track conditions and frequent derailments. The current train ride between the two cities takes nearly an hour and a half.
Separately, the first line of the city's light-rail system, meant to ease traffic congestion and reduce pollution in the city center, is slated to begin running by the end of 2008.
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