In the framework of the construction of the business district at the entrance to Jerusalem, Mayor Nir Barkat instructed to prepare a plot adjacent to the old Shaare Zedek near Jaffa Road as temporary parking for residents of the area instead of at Beit HaChaiyal.

Barkat also clarified that no bus will enter the Beit HaChaiyal parking lot without all the necessary tests, approvals and compliance with the strictest environmental standards. The bus parking lot will be operated only by buses that meet the strictest standards – Euro 5 and only after the completion of all the tests and work that will ensure compliance with the required standards.

It is important to note that the parking lot is currently completely empty of buses and in the form of its temporary operation, and after receiving the permits only, it is expected to contain only 29 buses, which will meet the strictest environmental standards. Until recently, this parking lot served as an unregulated parking lot for 100 private vehicles.

Moreover, as part of the project, the number of buses parked in this area will be significantly reduced, with approximately 250-300 buses currently in this area, compared to only 60 buses expected to operate in the future. The municipality continues its ongoing dialogue with representatives of the residents and the community administration.

In the Jerusalem entrance project, a 7-fold business district is being built in the Azrieli Center, which will change the face of Jerusalem and add 60,000 jobs. As part of the project, the city will become a leading transportation center in Israel with a fast train from the center, a light rail network, tunnels, roads and huge parking lots. Due to the work, many changes are taking place in the area, but the municipality is making great efforts to maintain as much as possible the quality and routine of the residents’ lives and health, while complying with all environmental standards to prevent air pollution.

The project is expected to significantly upgrade the transportation system in the city and to produce green transportation solutions. Officials again emphasize that at no stage will any danger to the health of the public.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)