All roads closed due to the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky on Sunday have been reopened, Israeli media reported.
News of Kanievsky's tragic passing on Friday afternoon spread quickly throughout Israel. Some estimates have concluded that there could be over a million attendees at the funeral, which is taking place Sunday afternoon.
Rraffic was expected to be heavy and Israel Police have already announced numerous roads and highways which will be closed down as a result of the funeral, which will be taking place in Bnei Barak.
Tel Aviv District Police announced the following road blockages:
- Highway 4 between the Ganot and Morasha junctions, though this should open by 10 p.m., according to N12
- Highway 471 going west
Traffic jams were reportedly expected to occur on the following roads:
- Highway 4 up north from the Holon Interchange to the Ganot Interchange
- Highway 20 south of Kfar Shmaryahu local council to La Guardia Street, Tel Aviv
- Highway 40 to the south of Derech HaTayasim
- Highway 1 heading east from Latrun due to a stuck bus
Police asked the general public to prepare accordingly and refrain from arriving with vehicles to and around the blocked roads. However, their most recent update reported that traffic for the time being in the center of the country has decreased.
In addition, special trains from 3 p.m. on Sunday will be operated that will bring attendees of the funeral back to Jerusalem from stations in Bnei Brak, Kiryat Arie and Tel Aviv, according to Ynet.
Trains from Ra'anana to Herzliya were canceled as a result of this initiative. Israel Railways said that shuttles will be operated in place of the canceled trains.