Six months before the scheduled date, the railway line that will connect the Gulf Port and the Israel Shipyards Port with the national rail network began operation.
The total length of the track is approximately 11 km and will provide a solution for transporting cargo from the port, while reducing the load on the roads resulting from truck traffic.
◄ Earlier than planned – the rail line connecting the Gulf Port to the national rail network has begun • Watch
The railway that will connect the Gulf Port with the national rail network began operating six months ahead of schedule. The total length of the track is approximately 11 km and will provide a solution for transporting cargo from the port, while reducing the load on the roads resulting from truck traffic.
The construction of the railway that will connect the Gulf Port with the national railway network is part of the 'Port Connections' project, promoted by the Israel Ports Company. The project includes a road system that provides a direct connection from the Gulf Port to Highway 75 and from there to Highway 6, as well as the recently commissioned railway. The cost of the entire project is estimated at approximately NIS 2.1 billion, of which approximately NIS 130 million is the cost of constructing the railway to the Gulf Port.
The track was expected to be operational in August 2025, but after much effort and cooperation with both the port authorities and Israel Railways officials, the track's operation was brought forward to the end of February.
In addition to the connection to the Gulf Port, preparations were made for additional rail connections to additional branches: the Goldbond Branch, the Shavit Branch, and the Kishon East Branch.
Also, in addition to the railway tracks themselves, the project includes the establishment and operation of wired and wireless railway communication systems, the establishment and operation of signaling systems for guiding trains, a command and control structure for the project's communication systems and signaling systems (train guidance systems), and an operational structure for Israel Railways at the Gulf Port for the purpose of managing, receiving, and preparing cargo trains for shipment.
Acting CEO of the Israel Ports Company, Tiko Gadot:
"Connecting the Gulf Port to the national rail network is a significant element of the project. Connecting the Gulf Port will create a continuous connection to the road and rail system in the Haifa metropolis, and will enable fast and efficient transit throughout the port area. In addition to contributing to the removal of trucks from the roads to and from the port, this is a project of national importance that will facilitate and streamline the work of the port, thereby contributing to strengthening the Israeli economy."
The planning and execution management of the upper structure (rails and communication and signaling systems) was carried out by Dana Engineering, in collaboration with the Upper Structure Engineering Office - Shaltiel Elad, and in collaboration with Gadish, which is responsible for managing the entire port connections project.
This project is completely unnecessary. It could have been connected to the existing infrastructure at the Carmel Port. This is a branched railway infrastructure that has existed for almost a century. The connection should have been made via a bridge or tunnel over the Kishon River, at its mouth into the bay. A matter of 200 meters, instead of the many kilometers that were wasted on the most expensive and prestigious real estate in Haifa opposite the Bay Center.
Instead of solar tracks, hazardous materials will be transported, including a parking lot through the center of Haifa, adjacent to the city's landmarks - the railway tunnel within 3 years. Benefit to the Gulf Port - inviting the Chinese to mine two Gerach Carmel tunnels for 4 heavy railway tracks, 2 in each direction. Connection to the Gulf Central Station with an intermediate station at the bottom of Wadi HaGiborim that will serve the residents of the Carmel. Connection of the Check Post to the Hof Carmel Central Station, which will be moved south and installed on a bridge east to the entrance of the tunnels near the Moshe Fliman Road and the Carmel Tunnels.
At once, the entire Haifa coastline and seafront will be freed up for quality development. From the central station of the bay, trains will depart from Herut to the center - stopping at the Wadi HaGiborim station and the Carmel Beach, and from there at 260 km/h and within 25 minutes in Tel Aviv. Haifa will enjoy an unprecedented economic boost.
The railway tunnel will allow the development of the entire coastal strip into marine park promenades and hotels. The existing railway line will become an urban light rail that will connect the coastal promenades, Bat Galim, Kiryat Eliezer, the lower city to the railway station at Check Post. Trains from the seaports will pass through the tunnels and not next to houses as they do today.
This is the real vision for developing Haifa as a city of a million residents, along with an airport with runways facing the sea that connects to the train at the Gulf Central Station with a one-minute shuttle.
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