Gush Dan Red Line Light Rail Inauguration Set for August 18 After Lengthy Delays and Concerns

After facing significant delays and safety issues, the highly anticipated Red Line of the light rail system in Gush Dan is finally set to be officially inaugurated on August 18. The project, managed by the NTA Company, experienced multiple postponements over the course of two years due to safety problems, particularly concerning incidents of emergency braking.

The German control company responsible for evaluating safety standards has now confirmed that the NTA project meets all the required safety requirements. As a result, the Red Line will soon open for passenger traffic, bringing relief to commuters and residents who have eagerly awaited its completion.

The construction of the Red Line, which began approximately eight years ago at the Yehuda Halevi station with the demolition of the Maariv Bridge on Karlibach Street, encountered unforeseen challenges, causing the works to extend beyond the initially expected completion date of October 2021.

The Red Line's route starts in Petah Tikva as an overhead route and transitions to an underground route through the Jabotinsky axis in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan. From the Elite Junction station in Ramat Gan, the light rail continues underground through the center of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa before resuming an above-ground route until reaching the final station in Bat Yam. During the initial phase of operation, the frequency of trips will be relatively low, with a light train scheduled to pass every six minutes.

The NTA Company, responsible for the project, has faced criticism from Minister Regev, who plans to transfer the metro project to a new management entity following the delays. The transfer is set to happen after the Red Line's inauguration, raising discussions about the project's future direction and leadership.

Meanwhile, construction work for the "Green Line" and the "Purple Line" of the light rail system continues. The "Green Line," slated for an opening in 2028, will begin in Rishon Lezion as an overhead route and proceed through Holon to central Tel Aviv. It will then transition to an underground route along Ibn Gvirol Street before returning to an above-ground route with two branches leading to Herzliya and the Ramat Hay'il business area in Tel Aviv.

The "Purple Line" will start in the Ono Valley and pass through the Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer, along the Alof Sade axis and part of Derech HaShalom in Ramat Gan and Givatayim. From there, it will continue to the south of Tel Aviv, reaching the Hatikva neighborhood and Aliya Street before passing through Allenby Street to central Tel Aviv and Ben Yehuda Street, eventually reaching the Savidor train station.

With the successful confirmation of safety standards and the forthcoming inauguration of the Red Line, residents and commuters in Gush Dan can now look forward to improved transportation options and reduced travel times within the region. The completion of the Red Line marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the light rail system, which aims to enhance public transport connectivity across the region.