Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced that her ministry would advance plans for a light rail line connecting Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, in what local leaders described as a historic step for residents south of the capital.
The proposed line will enhance transportation between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem, shortening travel times, easing congestion, and providing residents with a faster public transit option.
The announcement follows years of discussions over how to improve the transportation link between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem, a corridor used daily by residents of the regional council, Beitar Illit, Efrat, and nearby communities. The area currently relies heavily on roads and bus lines, with the Route 60/Tunnels Road corridor serving as one of the main entrances into southern Jerusalem.
According to the Gush Etzion Regional Council, the project would create the first direct rail connection between the region and Jerusalem. The council said the light rail plan would join other transportation upgrades being promoted in the area, including road improvements, expanded traffic routes, and additional public transportation solutions.
No final route, budget, planning timetable, or expected completion date was included in the announcement.
The new light rail will mark a major turning point for the region
Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal welcomed the move, calling it “historic news for the residents of the region.”
“This is a historic announcement for the residents of the area and a significant step toward strengthening the natural connection between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem,” Rosenthal said. “The light rail will give residents a faster and more accessible connection to the capital and will provide a response to the major growth of Gush Etzion.”
“We thank Transportation Minister Miri Regev, a true partner in the development of Gush Etzion and in the transportation revolution we are advancing in the region,” he added.
The announcement comes as Jerusalem’s light rail network continues to expand, including work on routes intended to improve access to the city’s southern parts. For Gush Etzion residents, a rail link into Jerusalem would represent a major shift from car- and bus-based commuting to mass transit.
