Breaking Update
Israel Planning Expansion of Southern Highways
Israel's Ministry of Transportation is advancing plans to expand Highway 383, a major project to connect Beit Shemesh, the Shefhela, and Highway 6.
Jerusalem, 24 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Ministry of Transportation is promoting plans to upgrade Highway 383 and turn it into a central axis between the Shafleha, the lowlands southwest of Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh and Highway 6, and an additional wide road south of Kiryat Malachi, located in the upper Negev. Highway 6, which runs through the entire country, north to south, is Israel’s only toll road.
The approval to deposit the plan constitutes an advanced stage in a significant project to upgrade Route 383, which connects Route 3 at the Sha’arei Avraham Intersection and Route 38 at the Azka Intersection, and will become a central, safe and advanced lateral axis that strengthens connectivity between the Beit Shemesh area, the Shefhela and Route 6.
The need to upgrade the road stems from safety considerations and structural limitations that currently hinder traffic flow, alongside the significant expected increase in population and employment in the Beit Shemesh area and surrounding areas, explained the Ministry. The plan is designed to address existing and future congestion, improve safety levels, and reduce the number of road accidents along the route.
As part of the plan, the road will be expanded to a two-lane, two-lane road, while improving the road route and engineering data. In addition, the plan includes the construction of an interchange at the junction with Highway 6, the arrangement of intersections, elevated ecological crossings for animals, advanced drainage solutions, the expansion of infrastructure strips and a bicycle path in the western section.
