The rerouting of traffic snarls that accompany the building of the Tel Aviv light rail system have hit Bnei Brak. Work is beginning on the Aharonovich Station and as a result, Jabotinsky Street will be closed for a period of time and when it reopens, there will be fewer lanes open to vehicular traffic, some streets will change direction and there will be surprises for motorists who must now face new commuting realities. For those wondering how long the delays will last, the project will take six years.
Bnei Brak will be part of the Red Line, that will run from Petach Tikvah through Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Tel Aviv, Yaffo and Bat Yam. The government agency overseeing the project is NTA, and Bnei Brak area residents now join their neighbors in other Gush Dan cities in becoming accustomed to new construction realities that in many cases, increase the time necessary to drive from one point to another. NTA officials report work will take place from 7AM to 7PM and nighttime work with be the exception, only conducted in rare cases when working during business hours is not possible.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)