The new upcoming high-speed train between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will also stop at the Western Wall, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz announced Tuesday.
The line will end with a tunnel reaching around the Old City to a terminal close to the Western Wall, he told a meeting with officials from the Transportation and Finance ministries, according to the Hebrew-language Yediot Aharonot newspaper.
There has also been some discussion about an extension of the current Jerusalem Light Rail north to Neve Yaakov, and south to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.
Such an extension is intended to relieve crowding at the main station in Jerusalem, making it easier for Israelis and foreigners, locals and tourists, to reach the Western Wall. In addition, once the Third Temple is rebuilt, it will allows Jews around the country to easily and quickly travel to the Jewish people’s holiest site for the holidays.
The Mikdash Movement praised Minister Katz, who is also a Kohen, for the plans for extend the train to the Temple Mount.
Katz also said, “This will allow thousands of workers to commute to Jerusalem, and to arrive in the capital quickly and comfortably.”
The project has been in the works since 2001. Projected to cost an estimated NIS 7 billion ($1.8 billion), it’s expected to reduce travel time on the train line between the two cities from 78 to 28 minutes. The original Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railway line was built during the reign of the Ottoman Empire.
The train is expected to be ready for passenger travel by Passover 2018, just in time to bring the Pascal sacrifice.