by Dr. Guy Bechor, gplanet.co.il, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel
Dr. Guy Bechor explains how this phenomenon occurs…
It happened this very week. For the first time since the State of Israel was established nearly three-quarters of a century ago, the city of Jerusalem became a central transportation hub. How did this happen? Hint: It has to do with the new train system – and this raises another question; What other plans are there for the railway to Jerusalem? What will the new giant business center, basically revolving around the train station at the capital's main entrance, look like in the coming years?
And does all this not mean that Jerusalem is, truly, the next big thing?
Ever since Israel's founding in 1948, Jerusalem has always been a bit out of the way. The central hub was always Tel Aviv, while Haifa - because of the train – was in second place. Therefore, when the modern train routes to Jerusalem were finally launched (to and from the Malcha station in 2005, and the Navon Station, near the Central Bus Station, in 2018) – no major change was immediately noted; the only place to go to from Jerusalem was Tel Aviv (and then slightly north to Herzliya).
This was the result of decades of neglect, the rectification of which is now finally beginning to happen.
Just this past week, after years of work, the Ministry of Transportation dedicated its new Jerusalem-Modiin line. (Modiin is a city near Ben Gurion International Airport of close to 100,000 residents and two train stations.) This is thus the second route leading out of Israel's capital city, but that's not yet the end. Works are underway for a third line that will reach the Navon Station, to and from Rishon LeTzion and Ramle. The Navon Station will soon see trains to and from other stations in Jerusalem, including the Old City.
The new Jerusalem-Modiin route features an engineering feat known as the "Modiin Arch," as well as three bridges and a tunnel, totaling 650 meters in length.
We have grown accustomed to Jerusalem's main entrance at the west of the city, but in recent years new main entrances have opened for vehicles, from the north, south and east. A new tunnel project is underway to allow entering and exiting the city close to the Har Nof, Y'fei Nof and Bayit V'gan areas.
Jerusalem's new business center at the western entrance to the city is beginning to take real shape, following years of underground work. Nine skyscrapers are planned, as well as giant parking areas, highways, hotels, residential buildings, and more. It's expected to become Israel's largest business district. But not to worry: The area will still be distinctly recognizable, by virtue of the Cords Bridge over which the light-rail line travels.
Jerusalem is most definitely the "next" thing.