Israel Railways Replaces Vehicle Crossing in Lod With NIS 20 Million Road

The Transport Ministry and Israel Railways have completed an approximately NIS 20 million road project in Lod's Pardes Shnir neighborhood, according to details disclosed on Sunday, November 8. A new alternative road provides an exit from the neighborhood as the road–rail level crossing closes to vehicles. The reports do not specify when the road opened. The 500-meter road was built over a new drainage conduit. Israel Railways' roads and traffic-arrangements division carried out the work, which included lighting poles, sidewalks, irrigation, gardening and landscaping. The project combines the replacement vehicle route with changes to the pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians can continue crossing at the former vehicle crossing. The improvements there include a safety railing, tactile paving for people with visual impairments and adapted escape areas. Israel Railways described improved safety, service and train punctuality as the project's purposes; the reports do not provide measurements of those outcomes. The work forms part of a joint program that has closed more than 35 road–rail crossings over the past decade. Crossings closed during the past two years include Atlit, Kfar Chabad and Shefayim. Further closures are planned over the next two years, with the stated aim of allowing faster trains and more efficient service.