Israel Launches Bidding for $50 Billion Tel Aviv Metro Project

Israel recently formally launched the bidding process for the construction of the $50 billion Tel Aviv metro, one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country’s history and a network expected to carry up to two million passengers daily.

At an inaugural event in Tel Aviv, the state-run NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System hosted representatives from dozens of international infrastructure firms as it opened the tender process.

In a statement, NTA said potential bidders were presented with the information required to qualify for participation in the government-funded project, estimated at $50 billion. The planned metro network will comprise three lines spanning roughly 150 kilometres (90 miles) across the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area.

Often referred to as Gush Dan, the Tel Aviv metro region is home to more than four million residents — about 40% of Israel’s population — making it the country’s most densely populated and economically significant urban cluster.

The new underground system is designed to integrate with the existing light-rail network in and around the city, which also consists of three lines extending more than 90 kilometres.

An NTA representative said the metro is scheduled to begin operations in 2037.

Quoting NTA chief executive Itamar Ben-Meir, the company described the project as a “national undertaking that will change the face of the country,” as Israel grapples with chronic traffic congestion and a high rate of road accidents.