Fast Track for Tel Aviv-Eilat Rail Line

Israel’s southern regional committee gave the green light on Monday for a 217-mile high-speed rail line that would connect Tel Aviv to Eilat, via Be’er Sheva. The next step before tenders can be issued for building the line is approval from the national planning committee, which will be challenged by environmentalists.

Planners envision private investments of $3.5 billion that would turn the tourist city of Eilat into a deep sea port and trade center and which would triple the local population to 150,000 people.

The train from Be’er Sheva to Eilat would travel at speed as high as 155 miles per hour, with a station at a new international airport that is to be built north of the city.