Israel is embarking on an ambitious plan to alleviate its chronic traffic woes by unveiling a series of highway projects worth billions of shekels. A total of seventeen new contracts, valued between 8 billion and 9 billion shekels (approximately $2.1 billion to $2.4 billion), are aimed at addressing critical congestion hot spots by enhancing the infrastructure of highways 44, 4, and 40, alongside other vital routes. The intention behind these initiatives is to improve travel speeds, expand lanes designated for public transportation, and ultimately reduce the time commuters spend on the road.
Traffic congestion has escalated into a pervasive issue across the nation, affecting not only central Israel but various regions throughout the country. In light of extensive public transport developments anticipated in the next decade, it is expected that disruptions will become more pronounced, forcing many drivers to navigate peak hours at speeds comparable to those of a brisk walk.
Among the most significant projects are those targeting routes where congestion is particularly problematic. For instance, on Highway 44, which stretches from Beit Dagan to Ramla, average speeds during the morning rush hover around just 25 kilometers per hour. This figure plummets to roughly 5 kilometers per hour near the Beit Dagan interchange, primarily due to traffic signals and lengthy waiting times. Although afternoon conditions see a slight improvement with speeds increasing to between 30 and 50 kilometers per hour, heavy congestion still plagues the route, especially at the exit from Beit Dagan toward Nir Zvi.
A substantial upgrade is planned for this stretch, estimated to cost around 2 billion shekels. The overhaul will involve a complete reconstruction of the highway, the establishment of two new interchanges, the elimination of traffic lights, lane widening, and better traffic separation. Furthermore, the project will introduce a dedicated lane for public transportation, a new bus terminal, bicycle paths, and landscaping enhancements. The aim is to facilitate safer and uninterrupted traffic flow along a corridor that services rapidly expanding residential and business areas.
Highway 4, particularly between the Hadarim interchange and Raanana South, ranks among the most congested routes in the nation. Morning speeds here can dip to between 10 and 25 kilometers per hour, with travel times reaching up to 40 minutes for a mere 9-kilometer stretch, largely due to merging traffic from nearby interchanges and connections to Route 531.
A proposed project, estimated at about 1.2 billion shekels, aims to create a continuous network of public transportation lanes from northern Sharon to central Israel while replacing the Raanana Central junction with a proper interchange. This plan is designed to enhance both the speed and reliability of public transport while alleviating congestion on busy urban and intercity roads.
In addition, several other projects are set to move forward in the Sharon area, including a bypass around Kfar Yona and improvements to Route 57, at a cost approaching 2 billion shekels. Upgrades are also planned for Highway 4 between Ilanot Forest and the Beit Lid junction, where current morning speeds struggle to reach between 15 and 30 kilometers per hour due to various bottlenecks and frequent left turns. The proposed changes include removing intersections, adding dedicated public transport lanes, creating grade separations, and establishing infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
Further developments are underway on Highway 40, which includes a high-occupancy vehicle lane between Lod and Givat Brenner, as well as upgrades to southern sections at a cost totaling hundreds of millions of shekels. Additional improvements are also slated for Routes 446, 60, and 89, where speeds during peak hours often fall below 30 kilometers per hour.
Officials from the government emphasize that while these initiatives are significant, they are not instant fixes. However, they believe that the magnitude of investment and the expedited tendering process will help shorten completion timelines and gradually reclaim lost time due to traffic congestion.
Moshe Ben Zaken, the Director-General of the Transportation Ministry, highlighted that the state is taking a multifaceted approach. Alongside road enhancements, the government is also focusing on improving mass transit systems, broadening continuous public transport lanes, and boosting service frequency and connectivity. He pointed out, "It’s not feasible to keep expanding roads endlessly. To genuinely enhance traffic conditions in high-demand areas, there must be a substantial shift towards public transportation that offers a viable alternative to private vehicles."
If construction proceeds as anticipated, officials predict that some of the most clogged corridors could undergo a significant transformation within a few years. For example, the full upgrade of Highway 44—encompassing two new interchanges, expanded lanes, a continuous public transport lane, a bus terminal, and bicycle paths—is projected to require around 2 billion shekels.
Nissim Peretz, CEO of Netivei Israel, noted that traffic volumes on many of these routes far exceed what they were originally designed to handle, leading to low speeds and widespread congestion during peak periods. "The new projects will facilitate much more continuous traffic flow, eliminate traffic signals, and construct interchanges, all while prioritizing public transportation lanes for passengers," Peretz stated.
