The $50 Billion Underground: Israel Greenlights the Tel Aviv Metro

Israel has formally launched the bidding process for the construction of the $50 billion Tel Aviv Metro, one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the country’s history. The proposed network is expected to carry up to two million passengers daily.

At a launch event in Tel Aviv, the state-run NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System hosted representatives from dozens of international infrastructure companies as it opened the tender process. According to NTA, prospective bidders were provided with detailed qualification requirements for participation in the government-funded project, valued at an estimated $50 billion.

The planned metro system will include three underground lines stretching approximately 150 kilometres across the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Commonly known as Gush Dan, the region is home to over four million residents — about 40% of Israel’s population — making it the nation’s most densely populated and economically significant urban hub.

The new metro is designed to integrate with the existing light-rail network serving the city and surrounding areas, which comprises three lines extending more than 90 kilometres.

An NTA representative indicated that operations are targeted to commence in 2037. Quoting NTA chief executive Itamar Ben-Meir, the company described the metro as a “national undertaking that will change the face of the country,” aimed at addressing chronic traffic congestion and high rates of road accidents.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.