An integral part of the works, is the “Graves operation” at Devira (between Kiryat-Gat and Beer-Sheva), which includes linking 6 km of new alignment with the existing track, which requires combined works of communication and track works consisting of ballasting, rail welding, line leveling, and road machines.

The linking will require simultaneous work at 3 sites on the first week, and at 6 sites on the second week.

After completion of works, an 8 km newly aligned track will become operational.

Due to the unveiled graves on the new alignment, the originally designed height of track had to be changed and built 3 m higher; raising the infrastructures due to the fact that the existing alignment (the low) crosses the new one.

Works also include excavation and removal of the old track infrastructure, and building a new embankment filled with selected material and roadbeds consisting of 20 cm layers each; it must be carried out precisely, requires separate lab tests for each layer, 24 hours around the clock for 10 days.

The mentioned works will cause the following changes in the timetable:

On Sunday, 03.05.09, trains #129 and #131, normally terminating at Beer-Sheva at 22:43 p.m. and 23:43 p.m., will terminate at Kiryat-Gat.

Between Monday, 04.05.09, and Sunday, 10.05.09, all passenger trains will start/terminate at Kiryat-Gat; therefore there will be no services to/from Lehavim/Rahat, Beer-Sheva-North/University, Beer-Sheva Central, and Dimona.

Between Sunday, 11.05.09, and Friday evening, 15.05.09, there will be no services on the Tel-Aviv-Beer-Sheva line; all trains between Nahariya, Haifa, and Beer-Sheva, will start/terminate at Tel-Aviv Hahagana station.

Traffic will return to regular on Saturday night, 16.05.09.

The railways’ management “apologizes for the inconvenience caused, while mentioning that works are being intensively carried out to promote double-tracking in favor of Southern Israel people; the management appreciates their patience during line closures, emphasizing that eventually it will pay off.

The additional criteria will enable also for those who did serve at the army to be recruited for the job; it is clarified that the new step will not affect the original intention to upgrade the level crossings’ inspection system.

As a result, the following criteria have been added:

1. Work in a company, institution, or an organization with consisting of an organizational hierarchy, in a job which requires showing initiative according to an internally defined procedures’ system.

2. An experience of works in shifts (day and night) of at least 8 hours on each shift with self independent acting (at least part of the time).

A continuous employment of at least 18 month at one work place.

Additionally, the railways’ management has decided to recognize the experience of 12 months of those who already gained it by working as watchmen at level crossings, in parallel to the experience required in the criteria.

The railways’ administration further explain that the mentioned job, which consists of security and safety aimed at taking care for human lives, the requirement of an army service is relevant and specially needed due to the fact there is no experience in this job elsewhere in the world.

Therefore, due to the job importance, it has been decided that the conditions of employment will be equal to those of

the railways’ security people assuming that passengers’ safety is as important as their safety.

However, as already mentioned, after discussions, the railways’ administration has decided that the added criteria, are equal to the army service, so that even those who did not serve the army can be recruited.

Construction of the line Tel-Aviv-Hahagana-Rishon-Le-Zion West (Moshe Dayan) and Pleshet junction, has moved one step forward with the publishing of Tender #HN/KB/01/09 for frame agreement to carry out communication works on the mentioned sections.

Works include: supply of cables and tubes of various sizes, exposing, opening, and closing of concrete channels, laying main cables-copper and optic, as well as telephone cables into the channels, building of a new communication infrastructure, supply of sub-assemblies and carrying out cables connections, installing and connecting of pedestals, delivery and installing of end boxes and corona blocks, and cables’ relays checks.

The tender consists of the following structures: Structure 01- Hahagana-Moshe Dayan section. Structure 02- Moshe Dyan-Pleshet junction section.
The agreement is for 36 months with optional extensions of up to 12 additional months.
Latest bidding date: 20.05.09.