West Bank Road Expansion Accelerated, Opening in 2028
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Work to widen Route 437, a key West Bank road connecting Jerusalem to Benjamin settlements, has been accelerated and is now set to open in early 2028, a year ahead of schedule. The NIS 400 million project will add lanes to ease congestion and improve safety. Officials, including Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, highlighted the investment as crucial for reducing travel times and supporting settlement growth.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Route 437 in the West Bank will be expanded to three lanes in each direction, opening in early 2028.
- The road expansion project is valued at approximately NIS 400 million.
- The accelerated timeline is intended to alleviate severe traffic congestion and enhance road safety.
- The project connects Jerusalem's Pisgat Ze'ev neighborhood to the Benjamin Gate.
- Officials praised the accelerated timeline as beneficial for residents and settlement growth.
Work to widen Route 437, a major artery connecting Jerusalem to the Benjamin settlements in the West Bank, has been significantly accelerated. The project, initially slated for completion in 2029, is now expected to open to traffic in early 2028, a full year ahead of schedule. This acceleration is a response to heavy traffic congestion and safety concerns on the road, which has long been one of the region's most challenging and busiest routes.
The approximately NIS 400 million project will expand the road from Pisgat Ze'ev in Jerusalem, through Adam, to the Benjamin Gate, creating three lanes in each direction. Officials anticipate this will drastically reduce travel times for drivers, similar to the impact of infrastructure upgrades in central Israel, and is expected to boost property values and accessibility in the local settlements.
Israel Gantz, Head of the Benjamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, praised the accelerated timeline, calling the one-year reduction "tremendous news" for thousands of families facing daily traffic jams. He thanked Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and the Moriah company for their roles in advancing the project.
Minister Regev stated that the early opening, with an investment of around NIS 400 million, will reduce congestion and improve quality of life. Finance Minister Smotrich described infrastructure development in Judea and Samaria as a strategic growth engine and a clear Zionist statement. The expansion of Route 437 is part of a broader infrastructure initiative in the region, which includes doubling Route 60 and other projects in the Sharon area.
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