Strategic Plan Approved to Strengthen Eilat and Eilot Region

The government approved today (Sunday) the proposal by the Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev, for a strategic plan to strengthen and develop the city of Eilat and the Eilot region. The goal of the decision is to improve the quality of life for the region's residents, strengthen the connectivity between Eilat and the center of the country, expand transportation options, develop economic and tourism growth engines, and continue the momentum of transportation development in the south.

As part of the decision, involving tens of millions of shekels, the development of Ramon Airport will be promoted, including the expansion of cargo and logistics activities, planning of a dedicated public transport service between the airport and the city, completion of the final stage of the western bypass road, promotion of infrastructure for charging electric buses, continued implementation of the road safety plan, and examination of innovative transportation solutions, including a "Park and Ride" complex and a maritime shuttle in the city.

The government's decision joins a series of unprecedented investments led by the Ministry of Transport in recent years in Eilat and the Arava, as part of Minister Regev's "Connecting Israel" vision. The ministry is currently promoting investments worth tens of billions of shekels aimed at turning Eilat into a southern metropolis connected to the center of the country through advanced, safe, and efficient transportation infrastructure, while strengthening the city's status as the gateway for tourism, trade, and logistics for the State of Israel.

Among the key projects promoted by the Ministry of Transport is the national rail plan from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. This is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country's history, with an investment of approximately 30.5 billion shekels, which will connect Eilat to the center of the country via a high-speed electrified track, five passenger stations, cargo terminals, and advanced operational centers. The project is expected to change the transportation map in Israel, significantly shorten arrival times, expand transport options, and strengthen the economy, tourism, and trade in the south.

At the same time, the Ministry of Transport continues to implement one of the largest safety projects in Israel: the upgrade of Route 90, the lifeline of Eilat and the Arava. As part of the project, with an investment of approximately 786 million shekels, about 180 kilometers of the road are being upgraded by widening lanes, establishing a rigid median barrier, widening shoulders, improving intersections, and installing advanced safety systems. To date, significant segments along the route have been completed, additional works are underway, and further segments will be promoted in the future until a continuous safe transportation sequence is completed throughout the Arava. Alongside this, the smart "Sahaf" system operates along the road, providing real-time flood warnings and contributing to saving lives.

In addition to the upgrade of Route 90, the ministry is promoting the Eilat bypass road, which will connect Route 12 to Route 90 and allow the removal of truck and heavy vehicle traffic from the city center. The project, with an investment of about 296 million shekels, is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, shorten travel times, and upgrade accessibility to tourism, commercial, and residential areas.

In the field of public transport, the Ministry of Transport has led a real revolution in the city in recent years. After fifty years, the new Eilat Central Bus Station was inaugurated—a modern transportation complex including a spacious, air-conditioned terminal, ten accessible platforms, an "Al HaKav" service center, advanced information systems, and infrastructure for charging electric buses. Simultaneously, public transport services in the city and between Eilat and Ramon Airport were expanded, new lines were added, and frequencies were upgraded, with the goal of providing high-quality, reliable, and more accessible service to residents and the millions of visitors who visit the city every year.

The Ministry of Transport also continues to invest in improving road safety in the city through the "Partners for the Road" program, which includes addressing high-risk points, upgrading intersections, renewing road markings, installing safety measures, and improving urban infrastructure, as part of the ongoing effort to reduce road accidents and increase the safety of all road users.