As the rehabilitation project in the Greater Geula area of Yerushalayim continues the work on Ezra and Nechemia Streets will shift to redoing the streets. City officials visited the area this week ahead of the project including Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch, who is responsible for the infrastructure in the chareidi areas. Also taking part in the walk through was Zohar Yinon, the CEO of the Hagihon Water Company.

After water mains have been replaced the city will address the poor condition of the road, which residents explain is no longer safe. City officials saw firsthand that the flow of heavy vehicles on the streets has taken a toll and something must be done to redo the streets in such a way that they are safer for residents. Deutsch asked the relevant agencies to do their utmost to end the project by Rosh Hashanah, pointing out the hardships faced by residents during the construction period. The experts told Deutsch that this is not likely to happen, in part because of a shortage of funds. They explain they must address a 7,000 square meter area and the price tag is about 2 million shekels however the prolonged work on replacing the underground infrastructure used a portion of that required funds. Hence they are short of money and unable to complete the project as requested.

Deutsch explained he will work with the city’s director-general and others to find the necessary funding, telling area residents that G-d willing their streets will be renewed and safe by Rosh Hashanah.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)