Continuing to Connect the South to the Center of the Country
The Ministry of Transportation and Cross Israel Company are advancing another phase of the Southern Railway with the deposit of the Goral Railway plan
Minister Regev: We are moving to another stage in connecting the South to the center and reducing transportation gaps with the actual deposit of the Southern Railway (Goral) plan, one of the most important railway infrastructure projects being promoted today in Israel.
The Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, through Cross Israel Company, is advancing the Southern Railway (Goral) plan, a national project that will strengthen connectivity between the South and the center of the country, significantly improve the public and railway transportation system in the Negev, and serve as a regional and economic growth engine.
The plan, which was approved for deposit by the National Planning and Building Council last September, was actually deposited in December. This is a significant milestone in advancing the project, as part of the Ministry of Transportation’s policy to accelerate national infrastructure initiatives, ahead of its submission for government approval.
The Goral Railway will split off from the Tel Aviv – Be’er Sheva railway in the Goral Junction area (Roads 40 and 406), and will pass near the Shoket South interchange on Highway 6. The railway is approximately 13 kilometers long and includes a double tunnel approximately 4.5 kilometers long that will be dug under the Goral hills – an advanced engineering solution, combining environmental preservation with large-scale infrastructure development.
The project is expected to yield a series of significant transportation, economic, and regional benefits. The railway will provide a high-quality transportation solution for the residents of the area, for employees in the new employment zones, and for personnel at the Intelligence Campus, while shortening travel times to the center of the country and improving accessibility through advanced, fast, and efficient public transportation.
In addition, the Goral Railway will allow the diversion of freight and hazardous material trains out of the city of Be’er Sheva, a move that will contribute to safety, risk reduction, and improved quality of life in the city and its surroundings. The railway will connect to the Ashkelon – Be’er Sheva railway and will significantly improve the transport of goods to the Port of Ashdod, as part of strengthening the national transportation and logistics system and increasing the efficiency of the railway network in Israel.
As part of the project, a new and modern passenger station will be built, which will include a bus terminal and parking for approximately 500 vehicles. The station was designed with maximum accessibility and integration between transportation modes in mind, so that a significant portion of passengers can reach it on foot or by bicycle, as part of the Ministry of Transportation’s policy to promote connected and sustainable public transportation.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Brigadier General (Res.) Miri Regev: “The fast lines to Be’er Sheva are a central pillar in the Ministry of Transportation’s policy to connect the South to the center of the country and to reduce transportation gaps. The actual deposit of the plan is another step towards realizing the vision of advanced, fast, and accessible public transportation, which strengthens the Negev, encourages development, employment, and growth, and provides residents of the South with a quality connection to Israel’s employment and economic centers.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: “The deposit of the Goral Railway plan reflects the ‘Connecting Israel’ policy led by the Minister of Transportation, to promote national infrastructure projects and accelerate their implementation on the ground. The Ministry of Transportation is working in cooperation with all professional parties to establish an advanced, safe, and efficient railway network that strengthens public transportation, national logistics, and the economic resilience of the State of Israel.”
CEO of Cross Israel, Dan Shenbach: “The deposit of the Goral Railway plan is another significant step in strengthening connectivity between the South and the center of the country and in developing advanced transportation infrastructure in the Negev. This is a project of national importance, which will strengthen public transportation, contribute to regional development, and improve the quality of life for residents of the South, while creating an efficient connection between the railway network, employment zones, and the main transportation arteries of the State of Israel. Cross Israel will continue to lead complex infrastructure projects for the benefit of Israel’s citizens.”
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