It It has also been decided to electrify the new line. The project is now awaiting approval by the Ministry of Finance so that tenders can be issued.
The new line will be 175km long, however additional tracks to separate freight from passenger trains at the southern end of the route will increase the amount of new railway to be built to 260km. There will be 9.2km of twin-bore tunnels and 63 bridges with a total length of 4.5km. The maximum speed for passenger trains will be 250km/h.
Israel's transport minister, Mr Israel Katz, says he wants to complete the new line within five years.
