New Fast Lanes on Ayalon Highway Aim to Ease Congestion

A new phase of the Ayalon Highway's fast lanes project is set to launch on Sunday, introducing a park-and-ride facility with 3,500 free parking spaces near the entrance to Rishon LeZion. From this lot, commuters will use a dedicated 15-kilometer lane to reach Savidor Station in Tel Aviv, with onward connections to employment centers in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. The complex also features approximately 350 charging stations for electric vehicles and about 500 spots for bicycles.

Four free shuttle lines will operate from the Rishon LeZion facility to key business districts including Kirya, Sarona, Azrieli, the Diamond Exchange area, Begin-Meshar, and Yigal Allon. These shuttles will run Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 AM to 10:45 PM, with high-frequency service every five minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes otherwise. The operator guarantees a minimum speed of 70 km/h on the dedicated lane.

The fast lane system, which is part of a larger network stretching from Netanya to Ayalon, dynamically adjusts toll prices based on real-time traffic to maintain speed. Motorcycles are prohibited for safety reasons, while taxis pay the full toll. The electric shuttles are equipped with Wi-Fi and charging points, with a journey time of about 10 minutes to Savidor Station and 20 minutes to business areas.

This new phase follows the initial stage at the Shapim interchange, which opened earlier this year and includes a multi-story underground parking garage with over 7,000 spaces, plus parking for buses and micro-mobility options. The success of the entire project hinges on whether drivers will actually utilize the park-and-ride facilities. While 3,500 spaces are substantial, they may be insufficient given the daily commute volume to the Gush Dan area. The utilization of the Shapim parking lot, which opened with around 7,000 free spaces, will serve as a key indicator for demand.

Concerns remain about the pricing for solo drivers in the Rishon LeZion section, as well as the reliability of shuttle frequency during peak hours. The integration with public transport, particularly the connection from Savidor Station to final destinations, is also crucial. The project's overall cost is estimated at approximately 8 billion shekels, covering construction and 15 years of operation. Global studies suggest that increased road capacity can sometimes attract more traffic, potentially negating congestion relief.