Haifa Area Highway Expansion Moves Forward
The Cross-Israel Company selected a concessionaire for a 250 million Shekel upgrade of the Somekh Interchange near Haifa, improving northern connectivity.
Jerusalem, 3 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Cross-Israel Company announced today (Wednesday) another step in upgrading the Somekh Interchange, with the selection of a concessionaire for the upgrade and expansion of the Somekh Interchange (Highways 70 and 79).
The project, worth approximately 250 million Shekels ($86 million), constitutes another stage in the implementation of the “Connecting Israel” vision, and is designed to strengthen transportation connectivity in the north, improve traffic flow, and increase safety in the area.
As part of the project, the Somech Interchange (outside Haifa) will become a full-system interchange, allowing continuous travel without traffic lights in all directions, while giving full priority to the “Nofit” light rail. The interchange is expected to open to traffic within about three years.
The work will include the construction of new ramps, the expansion of Highway 6, the construction of an underpass on Highway 79 as part of a future ramp for those coming from Kiryat Ata (west) towards Highway 6 North, landscape development in accordance with the character of the area, and the renewal of communication and drainage infrastructure.
Upon completion of the work, the project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the area, shorten travel times, and improve accessibility between northern communities and employment, commerce, and service centers.
The project is part of a broad program led by the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety to upgrade transportation infrastructure in the north, strengthen accessibility, encourage economic development, connect communities to employment centers, and improve the quality of life of the region’s residents.
