National Infrastructure Committee Approves Extension of Tel Aviv Metro M1 Line Eastward with Two New Stations

The National Infrastructure Committee (NIU) approved on Monday a plan to extend the Tel Aviv Metro M1 line eastward from its current terminus in Kfar Saba to the Eastern Railway line. The extension will span approximately 2.5 kilometers and include two new metro stations: one in the Yosafat neighborhood and another at the "Kfar Saba North" integrated transportation hub near the planned Eastern Railway station. This hub will combine metro, heavy rail, and a park-and-ride facility.

The extension aims to enhance connectivity between the metro system and the national railway network, improving public transit access for residents of Kfar Saba, Samaria settlements, and northeastern metropolitan areas. The committee reviewed operational and commercial integration options between the approved metro branches in Ra'anana and Kfar Saba but decided against connecting them to avoid reduced train frequency and compromised service goals.

The committee selected the western route alternative (1.3), featuring mostly underground tracks with some elevated sections near the Eastern Railway station. Contrary to the recommendation of the Israel Transit Authority (NTA), the committee included a metro station in Yosafat due to the area's significant development potential, particularly under the TAMA 2040 urban renewal plan, which anticipates increasing housing units from about 930 to 4,200. This station is expected to support urban renewal and transit-oriented development.

The Tel Aviv metropolitan metro system currently under development will feature approximately 150 kilometers of underground tracks and 109 stations, making it one of Israel's largest transportation projects. Benny Arviv, Deputy Chair of the National Planning Headquarters and acting NIU Chair, described the extension as a strategic move to strengthen the metropolitan transit system and improve service for the region. Ola Axelrad, head of the Metro and Mass Transit Division at the Planning Administration, emphasized the extension's role in linking the metro with the national rail network and facilitating urban renewal in Yosafat.

This decision marks a significant step in expanding Israel's public transportation infrastructure and supporting sustainable urban growth in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.