[MakkabI]
October 7th, 2004, 10:36 AM
Minister of Transport Meir Sheetrit: A company to pave section 18 of Highway 6 will be chosen within one month.
Zvi Lavi 13 Sep 04 16:37
Minister of Transport Meir Sheetrit told the Knesset Economics Committee today that planning of a railway line to Eilat was now beginning, and the 200-kilometer section between Oron and Eilat would go into operation by 2008.
Sheetrit also said that a company to pave section 18 of Yitzhak Rabin Highway (Highway No. 6), also known as the “Cross Israel Highway”, would be chosen within one month. Either Derech Eretz Highways (1997) Ltd. will pave the section under the build, operate, transfer (BOT) method, or Cross Israel Highway Company Ltd. will do so at government expense, through a contractor chosen by tender.
Cross Israel Highway general manager Yehuda Cohen told the committee that there was a $40-60 million gap between his company’s estimate for the cost of paving the highway, and that of Derech Eretz Highways. Derech Eretz is asking for a government grant, and the banks are also delaying loans for the project.
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance Accountant General and the budget division confirmed that budget authorization would be given for construction of the northern section by Cross Israel Highway Company if an agreement is not concluded with Derech Eretz Highways. NIS 500 million will also be authorized for paving the southern section.
Sheetrit rejected proposals by committee members for a tunnel on section 18, instead of the route through the Menashe forest, despite assertions that the tunnel would be cheaper, and the United Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) declaration that the forest was a nature preserve.
Sheetrit prefers paving of the road by United Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), particularly after the cut in the infrastructures budget from NIS 4.1 billion to NIS 3.5 billion. Sheetrit also plans to allocate money for a national campaign against traffic accidents.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 13, 2004
Zvi Lavi 13 Sep 04 16:37
Minister of Transport Meir Sheetrit told the Knesset Economics Committee today that planning of a railway line to Eilat was now beginning, and the 200-kilometer section between Oron and Eilat would go into operation by 2008.
Sheetrit also said that a company to pave section 18 of Yitzhak Rabin Highway (Highway No. 6), also known as the “Cross Israel Highway”, would be chosen within one month. Either Derech Eretz Highways (1997) Ltd. will pave the section under the build, operate, transfer (BOT) method, or Cross Israel Highway Company Ltd. will do so at government expense, through a contractor chosen by tender.
Cross Israel Highway general manager Yehuda Cohen told the committee that there was a $40-60 million gap between his company’s estimate for the cost of paving the highway, and that of Derech Eretz Highways. Derech Eretz is asking for a government grant, and the banks are also delaying loans for the project.
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance Accountant General and the budget division confirmed that budget authorization would be given for construction of the northern section by Cross Israel Highway Company if an agreement is not concluded with Derech Eretz Highways. NIS 500 million will also be authorized for paving the southern section.
Sheetrit rejected proposals by committee members for a tunnel on section 18, instead of the route through the Menashe forest, despite assertions that the tunnel would be cheaper, and the United Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) declaration that the forest was a nature preserve.
Sheetrit prefers paving of the road by United Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), particularly after the cut in the infrastructures budget from NIS 4.1 billion to NIS 3.5 billion. Sheetrit also plans to allocate money for a national campaign against traffic accidents.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 13, 2004