High-speed train line from Shorek launches: from Tel Aviv to Beer Sheva in 38 minutes

December 31, 2023   

The Ministry of Transportation is promoting the construction of the high-speed railway to Beer Sheva: Today (Sunday) is an important milestone with the approval of the plan to build the Pelshet Sorek - Lod Bypass railway by the National Infrastructure Committee (VTL), in preparation for its submission to the government for approval. Upon completion of the project, the travel time from Tel Aviv HaHagana Station to Beersheba University will be only 38 minutes. The construction of an electrified railway for transporting freight and passengers on the Pelshet Sorek route is a national infrastructure project on the national railway network, included in the Israel Railways strategic plan for 2040, which was approved by the Ministries of Transportation and Finance. The high-speed railway to Beersheba is being promoted within the framework of the strategic plan to connect the four metropolitan areas of Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba and Ben Gurion Airport, using high-speed passenger trains that will travel at speeds of up to 250 km/h and with a high frequency of every 10 minutes during peak hours. The route of the railway in the plan approved by the committee today, subject to another objection process that is expected to be completed Within about six months, it will connect the port of Ashdod via the coastal railway on the Ashkelon-Tel Aviv line to the southern railway on the Naan-Beer Sheva line, on a route parallel to Highway 7. The project includes doubling the track between Naan and Beer Sheva, connecting to track 1A on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv expressway via Corridor 431, and connecting to the eastern railway via the "Lod Bypass" railway via the Nesharim interchange. The length of the railway route is about 83 km and includes 2 electrified tracks that allow trains to travel at a speed of 160 km/h. The plan includes new passenger stations in the Gedera and Gezer areas, as well as expanding the approved passenger station in Bnei Darom. Israel Railways' strategic plan for 2040 predicts that by this year, approximately 300 million trips will be made by train per year throughout the country. Accordingly, the railway is promoting a strategic plan that includes significant development of the network The rails, a fast connection between the metropolitan areas and a reduction in travel times. According to the plan, a hierarchical rail network will be established, separating high-speed interurban service up to 250 km/h, and regional suburban service at speeds up to 160 km/h. In order to implement the plan, the Ministry of Transportation and Israel Railways are promoting three national infrastructure plans: TAT-L 79, which includes high-speed rails that will connect the Be'er Sheva metropolitan area with the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv metropolitan areas; TAT-L 65A and TAT-L 65B, which include high-speed rails on the coastal line between Haifa Lev Hamifratz and Shefayim Station; and TAT-L 111 for high-speed rails to Be'er Sheva. Minister of Transportation Miri Regev: "The railway is the backbone of the public transportation system, and I am determined to advance the strategic plan for its significant development in the coming years. This is joined by my strong commitment to promoting the periphery in general and the south in particular, through an efficient and fast transportation connection to the center. Today we mark another stage in the progress of the project, which will change the face of public transportation in the south of the country in the coming years. This is our commitment to the residents of the surrounding area and those serving at IDF bases in the south, and our contribution to the development of the south in all ways - employment, housing and education, all of which need a fast and available transportation connection." Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: "Since Minister of Transportation Regev took office, we have witnessed an unprecedented development momentum in the railway sector, both in Israel Railways, in light rail and in the planned metro network in the Dan Bloc. Minister Regev's public transportation vision is becoming a reality. Before our eyes, and in their hearts, advanced mass transit systems. Today we passed another hurdle on the way to establishing the high-speed line to Beersheba. At the same time, we are advancing plans to add tracks on the Haifa-Tel Aviv line and on Ayalon Avenue, and soon the winner of the tender to establish the 'Nofit' light rail between Haifa and Nazareth will be announced. And this is just the beginning!""