West Bank Road Expansion Accelerated, Opening Year Early
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The expansion of Route 437, connecting Jerusalem to West Bank settlements, has been accelerated and is now expected to open in early 2028, one year ahead of schedule. The 400 million shekel project will add lanes to ease traffic for tens of thousands of daily drivers. Officials, including Israel Gantz and Miri Regev, hailed the acceleration as significant news for residents and a boost to settlement growth.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Route 437 expansion is accelerated, opening in early 2028 instead of 2029.
- The 400 million shekel project will widen the road to three lanes in each direction.
- The road connects Jerusalem to settlements in the Benjamin region of the West Bank.
- Israel Gantz requested the acceleration, citing daily traffic congestion for thousands of families.
- Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the project's progress.
Work to widen Route 437, connecting Jerusalem to settlements in the Benjamin region, has been expedited and the road is now slated to open in early 2028, a full year ahead of its original schedule. The project, costing approximately 400 million shekels, will expand the road to three lanes in each direction from Pisgat Ze'ev in Jerusalem, through the Adam settlement area, to the Benjamin Gate. This acceleration was prompted by a request from Israel Gantz, head of the Benjamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council.
The expansion aims to alleviate heavy traffic congestion, improve safety, and reduce travel times for the tens of thousands of drivers using the route daily. Route 437's widening is part of broader transportation initiatives in the Benjamin area, including the doubling of Route 60. These projects are intended to enhance accessibility between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlements, supporting population growth.
Gantz expressed his satisfaction, calling the one-year acceleration "tremendous news for thousands of families" stuck in daily traffic. He thanked Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and the Moriah company for their efforts. Regev stated that the accelerated opening is a "significant boon" for residents and drivers, aligning with the Transportation Ministry's policy to reduce infrastructure gaps and improve accessibility.
Smotrich emphasized the strategic importance of infrastructure investment in Judea and Samaria, calling it a "clear Zionist statement" and part of a "comprehensive revolution" to ensure quality of life, security, and rapid connection between Jerusalem and Benjamin settlements. He affirmed the government's continued investment in transportation infrastructure in the region.
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