An automated vehicular inspection checkpoint set in place at the Jaffa Gate entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City leads to chronic traffic jams in the area. The checkpoint automatically identifies vehicles permitted to enter the Old City area.
The city set the checkpoint into place a number of months ago to filter out unauthorized vehicles during daytime hours. Residents, authorized work vehicle and emergency vehicle are allowed to pass the checkpoint.
The problem seems to stem from the fact that not all motorists are aware of the regulations in effect from 09:00-18:00 on weekdays. As a result, they make the turn to the access road to the Old City and then get stuck at the checkpoint. It is somewhat of a challenge to turn around and head out, and this appears to lead to significant and frequent traffic snarls. In addition, motorists who are granted one-time entry, special visitors for example are compelled to phone the checkpoint and provide the necessary details so the checkpoint is lifted to permit entry. This too takes time, adding to delays. The situation often backs up the main road and causes traffic to the Tzanchanim Tunnel to slow down to a crawl. This is especially true on days when special events are hosted in the Old City and the Kosel, including rosh chodesh and other times when additional mispallalim visit.
City officials explain the automated checkpoint was set in place in an effort to control entry to the Old City, acknowledging that at first, traffic was indeed impacted by the backup. Officials feel that now however, as motorists have become aware of the new arrangement, the backups are a thing of the past.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Officials obviously don’t feel the dent on their wallet when I pay 55 shekel for a taxi from zvhil instead of the 32 it used to cost. There is still a huge amount of traffic because of the barrier and it has not gotten any better.
To say that this system is now working could not possibly have been made by an Old City resident. I live in the Old City, my car is registered, and sometimes the gate will not open for me. These traffic back ups are absurd and unnecessary. I can’t imagine what the planners of this were thinking. The service people I sometimes have to employ will not come to the Rova anymore. Great idea guys.