From Metro to Airport: Stalled Transport Infrastructure Will Wait Until After Elections

Major transport infrastructure projects in Israel, including the metro, railway lines, and an airport, are expected to await decisions by the next government after the October 2026 elections. Planning Administration Director-General Rafi Elmaliah calls for immediate investment to meet the population doubling by 2050, while experts warn of delays and cost overruns.

Israel faces a critical decade for transport infrastructure development, but major projects such as the Gush Dan metro, railway lines, and a new airport are expected to wait for decisions by the next government, which will take office only in late 2026 or early 2027. According to CBS forecasts, the population is expected to grow to about 18-20 million by 2050, requiring massive investments. Planning Administration Director-General Rafi Elmaliah calls for turning plans into execution through bold decisions and budget allocations. Experts, such as Yael Shachter Sitman from the 99 lobby, emphasize the need for long-term policy and professional management to prevent delays and cost overruns. Among the pending projects: completing the Eastern Rail Line, the Gush Dan metro with three lines, and a new airport. The article notes that any delay could postpone solving the congestion problem for many years.