The Ministry of Transportation, through the Trans-Israel Company, published the concession tender for the financing, planning, construction and operation of the “scenic” light rail between Haifa and Nazareth. The tender, amounting to NIS 3 billion, includes the construction of a double track along 41 km, 20 stations, procurement of carriages, electrification infrastructure, signaling and control, establishment of a depot and control center, procurement of a fleet of carriages, operation and maintenance of the light rail for a period of 25 Years
The “scenic” light rail project is promoted by the Ministry of Transportation and managed by the Trans-Israel Company. About two months ago, the Trans-Israel Company announced the six groups that had been approved to participate in the franchise tender, after conducting comprehensive tests in the context of the groups’ structure, including meeting the threshold requirements for financial soundness that match a project of this magnitude. All the groups approved to participate in the franchise tender are composed of leading international and local companies in their field. The participating groups are:
Group 1: Dan – Israel, CREC – China, WEIGHS – Poland, SHENYANG – China, ATM Italy
Group 2: Shafir – Israel, CAF Spain, Keren Noy – Israel
Group 3: Minrav – Israel, Electra – Israel, ALSTOM France, Allied – Israel
Group 4: COMSA Spain, GLOBALVIA Spain, JSC Transmashholding Russia, Lasico – Israel
Group 5: Meir – Israel, Afcon – Israel, CRRC – China, CRCC China
Group 6: Housing and Construction – Israel, Egged – Israel, STADLER – Switzerland, HITACHI Japan and Italy, TEXMACO India, DOWNER Australia
Simultaneously with the publication of the tender, Trans-Israel is promoting the construction work along the route in a number of centers as detailed: the depot complex in the industrial area in Kiryat Ata, the Kiryat Hamishla station complex in the Galilee landscape and the Central Bay complex in Haifa and other complexes. In the last six months, the company has published three planning-execution tenders DB (DESIGN BUILD) Extensive to build bridges and tunnels along the route, totaling about a billion shekels.
As mentioned, the length of the “Nofit” light rail line is about 41 km and it will start at the Gulf Central Station in Haifa, pass through Kiryat Ata (new road 781), along road 79 near Shefar’am, Reina, Bir al-Maksur, cross the Galilee landscape And will end in the city of Nazareth. 20 collection and unloading stations, transportation terminals and “Hana VeSa” parking lots, a depot complex and a control and monitoring center will be built on the line. The line will operate over 30 trains at speeds of up to 100 km / h and with a maximum frequency of every four minutes. According to the forecast, the number of passengers per day will be about 100,000.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, MK Merav Michaeli: “The establishment of mass transit systems is a critical national task for the development of the State of Israel. A light rail in the Galilee will make it possible to strengthen the entire region, economically and in general, and will continue the investment trend in the Negev and the Galilee as part of the change in priorities that we are promoting and promoting. Rakal Nofit will expand employment and housing opportunities, connect localities and open the north of the country. The companies that approach the tender must know that the task before them is complex and difficult, and the expectation is to meet it all the way for the benefit of the Israeli public. “
Michal Frank, Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety: “The scenic light rail will bring good news to the residents of the north, as a fast, reliable and frequent mass transit tool. This project also implements the policy of the Ministry of Transport to prioritize public transportation. The publication of the franchise tender, which is partnered by leading companies in their field in the world, will ensure high construction and operating capabilities for the welfare of about one hundred thousand passengers a day. I wish success to the Trans-Israel Company, which manages the project on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation. “