(haipo) – Just before Haifa and the Kiryat Shmona became the target of missile attacks, the first tunneling project of its kind in Israel was completed to protect critical infrastructure.
This is a unique infrastructure tunnel that was dug under the road network leading to the Gulf Port, and its purpose is to protect critical infrastructure for the country.
In a special interview with Hifa, Tiko Gadot, CEO of the Israel Ports Company, says, About the security and ecological importance of the tunnel, the goals, and the vision.
Work on the tunnel began in 2017, and is currently undergoing preparation for its operation. This is a complex and unique project, which includes gas, water, electricity, distillates, chemicals and communications infrastructure – all concentrated in one underground corridor. This is the first project in Israel in which an infrastructure corridor has been built in a dense urban area, while significantly saving land resources, which are in severe shortage in the country.
The project began as part of a plan by the Neve Nof infrastructure company, but in 2019 it was transferred to the management of the Israel Ports Company.
The construction of the tunnel was a complex engineering challenge: it is subject to intense traffic of thousands of trucks entering and leaving the Gulf Port every day. The tunnel was built while maintaining the stability of the ground and addressing the risks of collapse and shocks resulting from the heavy traffic above it.
The CEO of the Israel Ports Company, Tiko Gadot, emphasizes that the infrastructure tunnel project is the key to the redevelopment of the petrochemical area in Haifa Bay, and its transformation into a modern residential and commercial area. "This tunnel is the foundation without which nothing will happen," he states, explaining that until now, numerous pipelines, including gas, water, sewage, electricity and chemical infrastructure, were scattered across the surface and constituted an obstacle to any development process.
The tunnel, which stretches 2.2 kilometers in length, is 12 meters wide and 6 meters high, and was dug to a depth of 10 meters below ground level, at a cost of approximately 600 million shekels, makes it possible to concentrate all of that vital infrastructure below ground level, thus freeing up space above it for urban development.
“The pipelines of the refineries, the electric company, the chemical plants, and even the pipelines for transporting crude fuels between the south and the north – they are all now concentrated in one tunnel, instead of posing a danger in the open,” says Gadot. According to him, with the infrastructure in the field, any small malfunction or damage could paralyze critical systems, such as the supply of fuel to hospitals, the production of ammunition and essential services for the population.
Security and ecological importance
Beyond its engineering importance, the tunnel provides a fundamental security solution. "We went through a war, and it probably won't be the last in the sector. The fact that these infrastructures are fixed within a fortified envelope that meets all the strictest standards and is earthquake-resistant makes them vital for the continuity of the economy's functioning, even in emergency scenarios," notes Gadot.
In addition, the tunnel significantly contributes to improving the ecological situation in the area. "Moving all the branched pipelines underground reduces soil and air pollution and frees up areas that previously could not be used due to environmental hazards."
A worthwhile investment – and preparation for future operation
Alongside the high investment in the project, whose annual operating cost is estimated at tens of millions of shekels, the Israel Ports Company is already working to ensure ongoing operation and adequate security of the tunnel. "We already have a winner in the tender to operate the tunnel, which will include advanced control, supervision, monitoring and alert systems," explains Gadot.
At the same time, the new fuel port is being built – the only one of its kind in Israel, which will enable a safe and stable supply of fuels, regardless of the weather or docking at old infrastructure facilities. “All of the fuel port’s pipelines will pass through the tunnel, thus avoiding the need for transportation via dangerous tankers,” he adds.
Three tunnels, three goals
Although it is "one tunnel", it is actually a system that includes three separate channels, each with a different purpose. Some of the entities that will use the tunnel include Dor, Bazan, 579, the Electric Company, Carmel Water and other entities. "The tunnel has a branched piping system that runs between the tunnels."
Vision for the future – a stable economy even in times of emergency
"We are committed to ensuring that the Israeli economy can function in any situation, even in wartime," concludes Gadot. "The fuel and chemicals sector is critical, and we cannot take risks. Therefore, long-term planning, which includes securing all infrastructure within fortified concrete tunnels, is necessary to ensure economic and security stability for the State of Israel."
And now we will pray that our enemy will have no way to damage the tunnel. Have a lovely day.
And now we will pray that our enemy will have no way to damage the tunnel.
All the ridiculous Nimby comments….
Haifa is an industrial city, period.
Why, where would we do this, in Sidon?
What industry – there are hundreds of non-polluting industries.
We don't want petrochemicals. Take it to Ashdod, to Gaza...
You killed our city. Pollution and cancer is not industry, it's death.
The whole goal is to establish the polluting factories here.
Do you think any other city would allow pipelines to be built to transport fuel and dump pollution into the bay beneath its territory?? Only sucker Haifa.
As the planner from the Haifa Municipality said in an article about the fact that they did not conduct an economic assessment of the banana complex: "Maybe in 50 years the bay will be cleared, so why would we examine the implications from there on the banana complex?"
Haifa is Israel's asshole. Instead of investing in the needs of the city's residents, billions are being invested in favor of tycoons and polluting our air and water.