Tender Winners Announced for Upgrade of Highway 38!

good news for Bet Shemesh commuters... at least in the long-term.
The next stage in the planned upgrade and renovation of Highway 38 has been arrived at!
The winners of the tender for doing the work between the Shaar HaGay Junction and Bet Shemesh have been chosen and announced.
The Einav company will do the work on the road itself, while Y.D. Barzani will do the work on the overpass to cross the train tracks and the new entrance to Bet Shemesh.
Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz said he will accelerate the project due to its importance. The cost for the roadworks will be 800,000,000 NIS, and should be completed in 3 years.
Mayor of Bet Shemesh Moshe Abutbol thanked the Minister for his efforts for putting all else aside and getting this done and solving the distress of the 100,000 residents of Bet Shemesh, not just in quality of life but also due to the dangerous road conditions that have cost many lives.
source: INN and Bechadrei
For the next 3 years, from whenever it starts, the traffic will probably be worse. But in the long-term it should get better!