Highway 1 Prepares for Emergencies with New Escape Lanes

Illustration | Photo: Haim Goldberg, Flash 90

Following the lessons learned from the massive fires in the Jerusalem area, emergency solutions have been installed on Highway 1 in the event of fires. The new system will allow the creation of escape lanes for drivers and quick access for rescue forces during fires, security incidents and serious accidents. The project will later be expanded to additional roads across the country.

As a result of lessons learned from the exceptional wave of fires that hit the Jerusalem area on Independence Day last year, safety barriers have been installed for the first time in Israel on Highway 1, making it possible to open quick escape lanes for drivers and provide immediate access for emergency and rescue forces during extraordinary events.

The move is the result of joint staff work by Netivei Israel, the Traffic Department of the Israel Police, and Fire and Rescue Israel, which was established after the fire incidents in which thousands of drivers were trapped on Highway 1 without the ability to change direction because of the permanent separation fence. As part of the joint work, the Traffic Department mapped dozens of strategic points across the country where emergency crossings can be established. In total, 49 potential points were identified, 20 of them in the central region, five of which were defined as first-priority for implementation.

The first two removable barriers were installed last week on Highway 1, and on Wednesday Netivei Israel held the first operational demonstration of the system before representatives of the police and Fire and Rescue Israel. During the drill, the barriers were opened and closed under field conditions, as part of the agencies' preparations to operate them when needed.

The new system includes two emergency openings, each allowing a 40-meter section to be opened. The system can be operated in two configurations, opening the sections across the width of the road or pulling them aside, thereby creating a fast passage for vehicles and emergency forces. The cost of installing each opening is estimated at about half a million shekels, and the work to build it takes several hours.

Netivei Israel says the removable barriers, already in use in several European countries and meeting the strictest safety standards, are intended to provide a rapid response in emergencies such as fires, security incidents, serious road accidents or road closures. Opening the passage will allow rescue and security forces to reach the scene quickly, while also providing drivers with safe and efficient escape routes. According to the plan, the barriers will be opened by Netivei Israel maintenance teams, in accordance with instructions and approval from the Israel Police and Fire and Rescue Israel.

The project takes on added importance in light of the major fires that broke out in the Jerusalem area on Independence Day last year. During the incident, Highway 1 was blocked, many communities were evacuated, and thousands of drivers were stranded for long hours without the ability to turn around or evacuate quickly. Some were even forced to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot from the area, while emergency forces struggled to reach the various scenes.

Netivei Israel CEO Nissim Peretz said, "The removable barriers are a proven, safe and advanced solution that will allow rescue and security forces to reach the scene much faster and save lives. We continue to invest in smart and innovative infrastructure that will strengthen the State of Israel's readiness for emergencies and improve the safety of road users."

Head of the Traffic Department in the Israel Police, Superintendent Haim Shmoueli, noted that the fires in the Jerusalem area illustrated the need for quick solutions that would allow safe movement of civilians alongside optimal accessibility for emergency and rescue forces. According to him, installing the removable barriers is a significant step in improving national preparedness for emergencies and reducing response times in the field.

Netivei Israel stresses that this is only the first stage, and that during the year the project is expected to expand to additional strategic locations across the country, with the goal of improving the response capability of emergency services and increasing road user safety during extreme events.

Roads, route, upgrade