Six prequalified bidding teams have been invited to submit proposals for the ILS5.5 billion (US$1.49 billion) Fast Lanes project in Tel Aviv.

The project involves the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of large-capacity park-and-ride lots on a PPP basis at the Mevo Ayalon (Rishon LeZion) and Shefayim interchanges, and the operation of a network of fast toll lanes extending approximately 100 km along the Ayalon Highway, Highway 5 and Highway 2 - key entry points to Tel Aviv.

The concessionaire will build, operate and maintain the parking lots and will operate several lines of free shuttles from the lots to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. In addition, the concessionaire will operate and maintain toll systems and driver information systems along the entire toll road network.

The fast lanes will give priority to public transportation, High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV), and to the park-and-ride shuttles. The lanes’ spare traffic capacity will be sold to private drivers against a toll.

The prequalification process for the project began in 2016, with six interested parties invited to proceed to the next stage of the tender in March 2017. The opening of the next stage was initially scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017. 

The six prequalified teams are:

• Shikun & Binui Holdings Ltd. and Egged; 
• Minrav Holdings Ltd., Metropolitan, Menolead Herut Systems, and Arie Shasha Transportation; 
• Ashtrom Properties Ltd. and Oron Group Investments and Holdings;
• Shapir Engineering & Industry Ltd. and Yamit;
• Dan Public Transportation and Danya Cebus; and 
• Electra Ltd. and Ofakim.

The tender deadline is not known. Construction works on the project, including the highway expansion and parking lots, are scheduled for completion in 2025.