You can already smell the metro tunnels, like in big cities around the world. We went below ground to bring you up-to-date photos of three out of the ten underground stations of the light rail's red line.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The line will be the backbone of the Metropolitan Mass Transit System (NTA). It will pass through the most crowded areas of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area (Gush Dan) and will serve the largest number of passengers. Over the past year, NTA took advantage of the coronavirus lockdowns to advance projects and accelerate works, with minimum disturbance to residents and traffic.
This year is expected to be a gamechanger not only for NTA, but for the entire Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area. The light rail's electrification works in Petah Tikva have been completed, and trial runs of the carriages are to begin soon. In 2021 we'll see the light rail system begin operating in Petah Tikva and Bat Yam.
The trial runs, it should be noted, will last nine months, and passengers will have to wait another year until the line is launched commercially. Yet there's no doubt the system has entered an exciting new phase – the first sign of the upcoming transportation revolution.
On the red line, trains will travel from the Petah Tikva Central Station, passing through Beilinson Medical Center, along Jabotinsky Road in Bnei Brak and Ramat Gan. Next, they will stop near the Savidor Central Railway Station, then travel down Begin Road near the Azrieli Center, continuing south to the Kirya, Manshiya, and Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa. The line will end in the south of Bat Yam.
"Over 2,000 workers are laboring day and night, on the tracks and in the tunnels, to advance the light rail network," says NTA CEO Haim Glick. "The lines are expected to improve the city's quality of life, diminish air pollution, save millions of hours lost in traffic jams, reduce the number of traffic accidents, and improve accessibility to the metropolis for residents of peripheral cities and towns.
"We are already working on expanding the network to Ra'anana and Rehovot with three subway lines, which will complete the transportation revolution and change the commuting habits of millions of passengers. True, the way there involves discomfort and disruptions, for which I apologize in advance."
Em Hamoshavot Station
Em Hamoshavot Station is situated between Em Hamoshavot Road and Highway 4 (beneath Em Hamoshavot Interchange). It is the northernmost underground station. Depth: 16 meters (two levels). Floor area of each level: about 4,500 sq.m. Length: about 208 meters. Width: about 22 meters.
Allenby Station
Allenby Station is situated on Yehuda Ha-Levi Street, between Bezalel Yafe Street and Allenby Street. Construction of the station began in August 2015. In November 2020, Yehuda Ha-Levi Street opened for traffic while works continued above the station and below ground.
Depth: about 24 meters (3 levels). Floor area of each level: about 2,500 sq.m. Length: about 128 meters. Width: about 22 meters.
Bialik Station
Bialik Station is one of ten underground stations along the red line. Works on the line began in November 2015. Bialik Station is situated on Jabotinsky Road, near Dr. Cohen Street, Zohar Street, HaTikva Street, and Sderot HaYeled, and not far from Bialik Street in Ramat Gan. The nearby stations are Abba Hillel Station on the west and Ben-Gurion Station on the east.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
Carlebach Station
Carlebach Station is situated on Begin Road – Ma'ariv Junction. It is a transfer station between the red and green lines. Passengers will be able to transfer from one line to the other via a multi-level passage only.
Depth: about 30 meters (4 levels). Width: about 22 meters. Length: about 275 meters.
Things you should know
- The red line will run 24 kilometers, including 12 kilometers below ground.
- Number of stations: 34, including 10 underground stations.
- Total length of railroad tracks: 56, including the train depot.
- The line traverses five local authorities: Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak, and Petach Tikva.
- Forecast number of passengers daily: 240,000.
- On any given day, about 2,200 workers are employed on the red line project.
This article might include sponsored and commercial content/marketing information. Israel Hayom is not responsible for its nature or its credibility. The publication of such content or information shall not be considered a recommendation and/or an offer by Israel Hayom to purchase and/or use the services or products mentioned in this article.
