Roadwork is planned on the main Kiryat Ata area road which is expected to lead to major chilul Shabbos. Haifa Deputy Mayor R’ Aryeh Blitenthal is among those working to prevent the Shabbos roadwork on Route 22.

Israel Police decided the weekend is the most appropriate time for the roadwork, since Shabbos traffic is considerably less than during the week. The work is planned from Thursday nights at 21:00, at which time the road will be closed until the predawn hours Sunday morning.

Route 22 is a main area thoroughfare connecting

Haifa and Akko, coming near to Kiryat Ata. From the perspective of police, the lighter traffic flow on Friday and Shabbos present ideal conditions for the roadwork in addition to permitting drivers to plan in advance for the closure.

Blitenthal approached the company carrying out the work and he was told the workers are not Jews. He points out that in addition to the laborers there are supervisors and inspectors and the chilul Shabbos cannot be tolerated. He adds there are also police that must be involved in redirecting the flow of traffic, not to mention the traffic jams that will occur on erev Shabbos.

The deputy mayor wants the work carried out on weekdays to avoid the chilul Shabbos. MK R’ Yaakov Litzman is involved and he hopes to use his influence to prevent the chilul Shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)