As part of the road development boom in Binyamin, work has recently begun to expand and double Highway 60 in Binyamin.
The ceremony held today to mark the start of the work was attended by government ministers Yisrael Katz, Bezalel Smotrich, Miri Regev, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council Yisrael Gantz, and representatives of the leaderships of the Binyamin settlements.
The project costs about a billion shekels, and as part of it, the road will be expanded to two lanes in each direction, with preparation for a public transportation lane.
The road will have rigid lane separation with lighting along its entire length. The section to be expanded is 20 km long, from the Shaar Binyamin intersection to the British Police intersection.
The northern section from the British police station towards the settlement of Ali and the Tapuach junction is currently in advanced planning.
In addition to widening the road, the work includes significant improvements to road gradients to improve travel safety and traffic flow.
The work is expected to last approximately 3-4 years, during which time comprehensive infrastructure work will be carried out, including the installation of electrical and fiber optic lines, while integrating efforts with the electricity company and communications companies to improve security in the area.
The project is underway after intensive work led by Council Chairman Israel Gantz, starting with the inclusion of Binyamin roads in the official plans of the State of Israel, through the harnessing of government ministries and the pooling of the state budget. In addition to Highway 60, all of the main roads in Binyamin are in advanced stages of development.
Minister of Finance and Minister of Defense Bezalel Smotrich: "The doubling of Route 60 is far beyond a transportation solution, it is another link in the chain of a civil-settlement revolution that we are carrying out on the ground. We are investing billions in transportation, infrastructure and development to strengthen Israeli sovereignty and ensure security, availability and accessibility for Israeli citizens everywhere, including in Judea and Samaria and Benjamin."
Defense Minister Israel Katz: "We operate here in Judea and Samaria first and foremost because we believe in the historical Jewish right here. Highway 60 is a central component of daily life here, which in recent years has, to our delight, become busy: which indicates the growth and prosperity in the region. The expansion of the highway is high on our list of priorities – both as a government and as a defense establishment. Over the years, we have led a revolutionary plan to develop road infrastructure and public transportation.
"Today's project is part of the road revolution in the region that brings with it important news and a significant statement about the enormous contribution of settlement to Israel's security and to deepening our hold everywhere throughout the country. I would like to thank Minister Miri Regev and Minister Bezalel Smotrich for their partnership and involvement."
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: "Today we are changing reality. This is a strategic project that will strengthen security, shorten travel times and save lives. This is how we build equitable, safe and connected transportation. As soon as I took office, it was clear to me that significant budgets must be allocated to upgrade transportation infrastructure, even in areas that have been neglected for years, out of a true commitment to security, safety and strengthening the periphery. The Highway 60 upgrade project is a tangible expression of this policy, connecting the ends of the country, protecting human lives and laying the infrastructure for future growth."
The head of the Binyamin Regional Council and the chairman of the Yesha Council, Yisrael Gantz, said at the ceremony: "The development of the roads is a condition for the growth of this region of the country and a practical expression of the sovereignty and responsibility of the state here. This project would not have happened without the Israeli government and its ministers."
"A big thank you to Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who worked on this while he was Minister of Transportation and of course in his current position. Thank you to Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, who is a significant partner in the development of roads in the settlement. I thank Defense Minister Israel Katz - we feel a change in policy regarding security and settlement under his leadership."
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