Tracklaying is being carried out by two Israeli companies, Lesico and Shikun together with Germany's DB Bahnbau, which are working from the Macher Junction end of the line at a rate of about 400m per day, with ballast being laid at around 800m per day. Embedded slab track based on the Swiss LVT system is being laid in the 4.6km Gilon tunnel.
The Shekels 2.8bn ($US 740m) line is designed for 160km/h operation and will be one of the first two railways in Israel to be electrified, the other being the A1 direct link from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Israel's minister of transport and road safety Mr Israel Katz says planning is underway for the next phase of the line from Carmiel to Kiryat Shmona.
