ISRAEL Railways (IR) is currently executing a Shekels 246m ($US 66m) project to build a rail link to the new Southern Terminal under construction at the Port of Ashdod, 40km south of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast.

To provide freight trains with direct access to the new terminal, a new 2.2km line is being built in tunnel, as well as two technical buildings for the GSM-R radio communications system and a new footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

Due for completion next year, it is hoped that the project will greatly reduce the amount of road congestion caused by lorries moving to and from the port.

Improved access to Ashdod will be complemented by other work being undertaken by IR to double-track and electrify the line from Rehovot to Pleshet at the entrance to the port.

A second track is being laid on the line to Pleshet. Photo Credit: Daniel Vogel

Under a separate Shekels 100m ($US 26.8m) project being undertaken by Israel Ports to improve rail access to the Bay of Haifa, IR is responsible for tracklaying on a new 5.5km direct connection running to the port entrance from the main line along the coast to Tel Aviv. The new link includes a passing loop.

The first stage of the project has involved building a bridge over the Se'adia river and a road overbridge, laying 450m of new track and three turnouts, and installing communications systems. Work has been completed by the subcontractor which is now handing over the new infrastructure to IR.

Tracklaying on the second stage is still in progress, following the completion of civil works including a new rail bridge over the Kishon river.

The third stage includes building a control centre, which has already been completed and is now in the initial stages of being handed over IR. The national railway is responsible for signalling and communication systems on the Bay of Haifa project, which is due for completion at the start of 2025.

Civil works on the new link to the port of Haifa. Photo Credit: Daniel Vogel

Due to the current security situation in Israel following the outbreak of armed conflict in Gaza, and the disruption that this has caused to the supply chain, IR is now in close contact with its subcontractors and suppliers on both projects.

Assistance being provided by IR includes paying in advance where possible, and agreeing longer and more flexible schedules for delivering work that is now in hand.

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