Electra Bögl JV, comprises of Electra Ltd, Electra Infrastructures Hasharon Excavators Ltd, Signon Schweitz AG, and Max Bögl Bauunternemung GmbH & Co KG.

The new line will use slab track in tunnels and on bridges for the first time in the railway's history. The tunnels on the new line have already been completed, while the bridges and the new station in Jerusalem are in the final stages of construction.

Israel Railways general manager Mr Boaz Zafrir said: "The A1 project is moving ahead rapidly, and we're now entering the last phase of building the infrastructure systems which will be completed in 2017, with commercial operations due to commence in 2018."