Modi'in residents will be able to take the train to Tel Aviv
starting in mid-Elul (September 1), Transportation Minister
Shaul Mofaz announced. The ride from Modi'in to Tel Aviv will
take just 20 minutes, including the stop at Ben Gurion
Airport. Modi'in is a short drive from Modi'in Illit.
From Tel Aviv the train will continue to Haifa and Nahariya.
The total travel time from Modi'in to Nahariya will be under
two hours, barring delays.
In the initial phase, 58 trains will operate on the line
daily, at least two per hour in each direction. The train
line to Modi'in includes 19 kilometers (12 miles) of double
tracks and two train stations — one on the outskirts of
Modi'in with 320 parking spaces and another underground
station located at the city's transportation center, which is
expected to be inaugurated within the next few months. The
cost of building the Modi'in line is estimated at NIS 1.4
billion ($340 million).
Twelve bridges with a total length of 3.5 kilometers (2.2
miles) have been built along the way, in addition to a tunnel
system measuring a total of 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) dug
because of topographic conditions. The longest tunnel
measures 500 meters (1,640 feet).
The number of passengers is expected to reach 1.2 million in
2008, growing to 2 million per year, which promises to result
in further development in the city.
The Modi'in line is part of the 56-kilometer (35-mile)
express line that will connect Jerusalem and Tel Aviv four
years from now, making travel time just 28 minutes from Tel
Aviv to Jerusalem and just 18 minutes from Modi'in to
Jerusalem.
At this point it remains unclear whether the Jerusalem line
will be a worthwhile option for Modi'in Illit residents, but
the Haifa line will be convenient, especially considering the
stops along the way.
