Israel Breaks Ground on $2.1 Billion Light Rail Project Linking Northern Cities
Israel has broken ground on the $2.1 billion Nofit light rail project, a 41km line connecting Haifa and Nazareth, expected to serve 100,000 daily passengers.
Jerusalem, 7 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Trans-Israel Highway Co. have begun construction on the “Nofit” Light Rail Transit project, a 41-kilometer line valued at roughly $2.1 billion (8 billion shekels), being built by a consortium of Alstom, Electra, and Minrav.
A 20-kilometer section between the Somekh Interchange and Reineh Junction has been handed over for initial groundwork, with land clearing and earthworks underway ahead of track construction.
The line will feature 20 stations and about 30 light rail vehicles, running at frequencies of up to four minutes and speeds reaching 100 km/h. It aims to serve roughly 100,000 daily passengers, connecting Haifa, the >>”>Krayot area, Shefa-‘Amr, Nof HaGalil, and Nazareth without transfers.
The consortium will operate the system under a 25-year franchise.