INTRODUCTION- ISRAEL INFRASTRUCTURE

Israel developed world class Infrastructure in recent years, few details are :

Roads :-

In a country of short distances, cars, buses & trucks are the main means of transportation. In recent years, the road network has been extensivelt expanded & improved to accommodate the rapid increase in the number of vehicles as well as to make even the most remote communities accessible. Current sections of a multi-lane highway, to run almost 190 miles (300km), starting at Be’er Sheva in the south & branching out to Rosh Hanikra & Rosh Pina in the north are under construction, This road, which is still being debated because of its environmental ramifications, is expected to make it possible to bypass heavily populated areas, thus easing traffic congestion & providing fast access to most areas of the country.

Railways :-

Israel Railways operates passenger services between Tel Aviv, Haifa & Nahariya. Freight services also operate further south, serving the port of Ashdod, the citiesof Ashkelon & Be’er Sheva & the miniral quarries south of Dimona. In recent years, both rail freight & passenger usage has increased. To help alleviate problems caused by increased road traffic density, rapid rail transit services – utilizing updgraded existing tracks – are now being instituted in the Tel Aviv & Haifa areas, operated in coordination with bus feeder lines. Many outmoded coaches now in use are being replaces by modern, air-conditioned passenger cars, and up – to – date mechanical track – maintenance equipment is being put into operation.

On October 6, 2014, work began on the final tunnel portion for a high speed rail that will connect Tel Aviv & Jerusalem. The train will be able to make the trip netween the two cities in 28 minutes while travelling at 160 km/hr & is stated to begin in late 2017. This section of the tunnel will run between Sha’ar Hagai intersection on Route 1 to the Meyasseret Zion area, a distance of about 9 miles. The total cost for the project is around $ 7 billion New Israeli Shekels ($1.9 billion US). The high speed train will run four times during rush hours, and will pass by Ben Gurion Airport as well as the towns of Modiin & Latrun.

Seaports :-

The ancient Ports of Jaffa (Yafo), Caesarea & Arce (Akko) have been replaces by three modern deep – water harbours at Haifa, Ashdod & Eilat which serve International shipping. Haifa port is one of the largest container ports on the Mediterrean Sea as well as a busy passenger terminal; Ashdod port is used mainly for shipping goods; & the port of Eilat on the Red Sea links Israel to the southern hemisphere & the Far East. In addition, a tanker port in Ashkelon receives fuel shipments & a direct off – loading facility for freighters supplying coal to the nearby power station operates in Hadera.

Recognizing the Israel’s geographic location gives it the potential to become a transit country for passengers & goods traversing the region, the Ports & Railways Authority has designed a long – term master plan to meet future transportation needs. Amoung other priorities, it advocated developing a modern rail system, instituting state-of-the-art equipment in every phase of its land  & sea operations & setting up a network of computer systems to control & supervise all of its services.

Airports :-

Ben – Gurion International Airport (a 25 – minute drive from Tel Aviv, 50 minute from Jerusalem) is Israel’s main & largest air terminal. Due to rapid increases in the numbers of passengers arrivals & departures, the airport is being extensively enlarged. Charter flights, mainly from Europe, & domestic air travel are served by the Eilat airport in the south & small airports near Tel Aviv in the center & Rosh Pina in the north.

Israel’s infrastructure sector offers potentially attractive investment opportunities with plentiful, quality deal flow in both primary and secondary markets. Its chief growth infrastructure segments include local government authorities, defense industries, private companies and non-profit organizations.

Most infrastructure assets are owned by the Israeli government which recognizes that investment and attention to infrastructure are essential elements of successful future planning and sustainable economic growth. This has resulted in increased efficiencies in government tenders for public-private partnerships. The government also takes a significant involvement in risk allocation – providing guarantees and other safety nets for participants in these projects.

Future government projects include planned new air and sea ports, roads, railways and mass transportation systems, power plants and energy networks, and water systems.