Construction work that causes the delays in the Shar HaGai – Shoresh are of Highway 1, the Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Highway has halted due to the contractor’s stay-of-proceedings.

Mordechai Binyamin & Sons Earthworks Ltd. was carrying out the work to expand the highway between Shar HaGai and Shoresh, a 6.5km (4 mile) area of the highway. The Nazareth District Court granted a stay-of-proceedings because of the firm’s 178 million NIS debt. This halted construction work about a month ago.

Work in other areas of the highway continues, including Shoresh to Motza, the Mevasseret Tzion underpass and the N’vei Ilan Interchange but without this area being completed, the other improvements will be of little value. At this point it remains unknown if the company will continue the project. The major project carries a 2.5 billion NIS price tag.

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz is quoted by Globes saying, “The new highway to Jerusalem is one of the most important traffic arteries in Israel. Its widening to three lanes, the mining of tunnels, and the building of bridges will give the capital a worthy road.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)