The allocation, which provides for the construction of new highways spanning the length and breadth of the country, will vastly improve Israel’s congested road network.
Much of the money for the 74 projects authorized will also be used for upgrading existing routes. Plans were approved for widening Israel’s coastal highway (Route 2) from Netanya to Caesarea, and completing a highway (Route 40) to bypass Beersheva. The latter project is expected to further plans to open the Negev to large-scale development.
Another road to be widened and upgraded is Route 79 in the north, from Ein Afek (east of Kiryat Motzkin) to the Movil Junction in the lower Galilee.
Transportation Minister Meir Shitrit said that the government had decided to allocate $86.4 million (NIS 400 million) solely for the purpose of improving road safety.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly prodded Shitrit at Sunday’s cabinet meeting to accelerate efforts to pave the way for a legislative proposal to provide the country with a long-term plan to reduce traffic accidents.
Financing the allocation for road safety had become the subject of a controversy when Shitrit suggested that the money be funded by imposing a 10% tax on automobile insurance policies. The insurance industry and motorist groups rejected Shitrit’s idea.
According to Sunday’s decision, the entire allocation, including the appropriation for road safety, will come out of the general state budget.
Much of the money for the 74 projects authorized will also be used for upgrading existing routes. Plans were approved for widening Israel’s coastal highway (Route 2) from Netanya to Caesarea, and completing a highway (Route 40) to bypass Beersheva. The latter project is expected to further plans to open the Negev to large-scale development.
Another road to be widened and upgraded is Route 79 in the north, from Ein Afek (east of Kiryat Motzkin) to the Movil Junction in the lower Galilee.
Transportation Minister Meir Shitrit said that the government had decided to allocate $86.4 million (NIS 400 million) solely for the purpose of improving road safety.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly prodded Shitrit at Sunday’s cabinet meeting to accelerate efforts to pave the way for a legislative proposal to provide the country with a long-term plan to reduce traffic accidents.
Financing the allocation for road safety had become the subject of a controversy when Shitrit suggested that the money be funded by imposing a 10% tax on automobile insurance policies. The insurance industry and motorist groups rejected Shitrit’s idea.
According to Sunday’s decision, the entire allocation, including the appropriation for road safety, will come out of the general state budget.