Green Line Light Rail Project Faces Year-Long Delay, Opening Pushed to 2031
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
The Green Line of the Gush Dan light rail project is delayed by about a year and will not open before 2031, reportedly due to disputes between Electra and Alstom. NTA fined the TMT consortium NIS 70 million for delays, though work pace has improved. The southern section may open by 2029, but the full line is now expected in 2031. Industry experts warn these issues must be addressed before awarding metro project contracts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Green Line light rail project in Gush Dan is delayed by approximately one year, now expected to open in 2031.
- Disagreements between Electra and Alstom are cited as the primary reason for the significant schedule setback.
- NTA previously fined the TMT consortium, including Electra and Alstom, NIS 70 million due to the delays.
- The southern segment of the Green Line might open by 2029, but the full 39-kilometer route will be later.
- Industry figures warn that lessons from these delays are crucial for upcoming metro project tenders.
The opening of the Green Line of the Gush Dan light rail project is expected to be delayed by approximately one year, with completion now anticipated in 2031, according to a report. The delay is reportedly due to severe disagreements between Electra and the French company Alstom, the main partners in the TMT consortium which also includes the Dan company. Last month, NTA (Netivei Ayalon) fined the consortium NIS 70 million to address the ongoing delays. While work has progressed since then, it has not been at a sufficient pace to prevent a significant setback in the schedule. The consortium has also been without a permanent CEO for several months, raising questions about project management. The Green Line, spanning 39 kilometers with a 4.5-kilometer underground section, is set to connect Rishon LeZion, Holon, and Tel Aviv via a tunnel on Ibn Gabirol Street, extending to Ramat HaChayal and Herzliya. Projections suggest the southern segment, from Rishon LeZion to Zalman Shazar Boulevard, might open by 2029 at the earliest, with the full line operational no sooner than 2031. In contrast, the Purple Line of the light rail is progressing on schedule and is expected to open in 2028. As tenders for the metro, Israel's largest transportation project, are set to be released in the coming years, industry sources warn that the Green Line's delays highlight the need to learn lessons before selecting companies for the metro system to avoid similar disputes, delays, and cost overruns. The TMT group stated that its companies are working in full cooperation despite challenges beyond their control, aiming to shorten the timeline for the complex Green Line. NTA commented that it is using all legal means to prevent and minimize schedule impacts, noting unprecedented fines and a recent significant improvement in work pace, but insists the line will open on time and that contractors must meet their commitments.