Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated Israel Railways’ Eastern Railway at the Samaria–Tayibe station, calling the project a major step in easing traffic congestion and connecting Israel from north to south.
The new rail line is part of a broader national infrastructure push aimed at reducing pressure on the crowded coastal route and improving passenger and freight movement across the country.
According to Israel Railways, the project cost 8.5 billion shekels and stretches 65 kilometers near Highway 6. It includes six stations, five of them new: Hadera East, Samaria–Tayibe, Tira–Kochav Yair, Elad–South Petah Tikva and Shoham. The Rosh HaAyin North station was also significantly upgraded.
The project also includes 47 new bridges and is expected to increase national rail capacity by about 30%. Israel Railways says the line will allow roughly 150 additional passenger trains per day, along with dozens of freight trains.