Minister Olmert approved an NIS 19 billion five-year plan for maintenance of inter-city roads

Olmert announces that he will submit the plan for the approval of the Social-Economic Cabinet at its next meeting
 
Vice Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Finance Ehud Olmert approved an NIS 19 billion five-year plan for the paving, planning, development, safety and maintenance of inter-city roads.
 
The Ministry of Finance Budget Department, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Israel National Roads Company, Ltd. formulated the plan jointly.
 
This morning, the Budgets Director, Kobi Haber, presented the Minister with the main points of the work plan, whose principles reflect long term planning and an overall vision for the development of the network of inter-city roads, with an emphasis on the return of investment that these roads will provide for the economy.
 
According to the plan, there will be a spending authorization for NIS 19 billion for the years 2006-2010. This amount will include:
 
- Approximately NIS 13 billion for development projects and projects for the paving of new roads, the upgrading and expansion of existing roads and the development of projects which enhance road safety standards. The main emphasis is on completing the pavingof east-west roads and the improvement of principal north-south and east-west roads - such as the coast road between Netanya and Caesarea, the upgrading and widening of Road 79 along the segment going from Ein Afek Junction through Somekh and Hamovil and ending at Nazareth, the completion of the eastward bound Road 40 Beersheba bypass route and more.
 
- At least NIS 4 billion for ongoing and preventive maintenance for the network of roads.
 
- NIS 750 million for specific safety projects.
 
- The balance of the amount will be budgeted for various subjects such as the planning and preliminary preparation of projects for the next five-year period, for research and development and for traffic control.
 
The plan’s financing will be spread out, as stated, over six budget years and it will be financed in the context of the current Ministry of Transportation budget and from budget additions that will be granted during the coming years.
 
Minister Olmert will submit the plan for the approval of the Social-Economic Cabinet at its next meeting. Attached is an outline of the cumulative five-year budget.