In an effort to alleviate the traffic congestion on the Tunnel Highway which connect southern Jerusalem to Gush Etzion, Betar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein conducted a tour of the area with senior police brass and representatives of the IDF Civil Administration. The tour was conducted as part of an effort to alleviate the traffic congestion until expansion construction work is completed. The steps will be implemented immediately, and the officials will meet again in one month’s time to assess the outcome.

According to the data released by Rubinstein, the critical traffic times from Jerusalem to Betar Illit are on Sunday to Thursday from 4:00PM to 9:00PM and on erev Shabbos from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the summer and from 2:30PM to 4:00PM in the winter.

The rush hour times in the opposite direction, from Betar to Jerusalem, are Sunday to Thursday from 7:00AM to 10:00AM and on motzei Shabbos from 8:30PM to 9:30PM during the summer and from 7:30PM to 8:30PM during the winter months.

In light of these realities, during the coming weeks, there will be additional manpower operating during rush hour times at the checkpoint inspecting vehicles. The speed bumps in the direction of Jerusalem to Betar will be eliminated, the Palestinian taxi traffic will be organized, referring to the area at Hussan Junction, as the latter results in traffic congestion. There will be a special lane which buses and trucks waiting for inspection will have to use to avoid delaying private vehicles.

Some of the changes will be implemented immediately and the next visit is set to be conducted on or about Rosh Chodesh Elul.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)