Tel Aviv Metro breaks ground: Israel begins first phase of historic $17 billion project

The Israeli Ministry of Transportation and the NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System officially launched the first stage of the $17 billion Tel Aviv Metro project on Sunday. The project, which will be the largest of its kind in Israel, has faced various challenges and consequently been delayed on multiple occasions.

The NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System will be overseeing the project, which involves international partners –including potential Chinese participation that has drawn controversy.

Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev hailed the launch of the project a “historic moment for the State of Israel,” calling the construction of the Tel Aviv Metro “an enormous challenge and a tremendous opportunity for renewal and investment.”

NTA Chairperson Yodfat Afek-Arazi said that the new metro system “will transform Israel’s future” and called for “full cooperation between ministries, local authorities and the public.”

NTA CEO Itamar Ben Meir said, “The Metro is far more than a transportation project – it’s a social and economic engine that will drive Israel’s growth forward.”

The initial construction phase focuses on building around 78 kilometers (48 miles) of twin tunnels. Some 59 subterranean stations will form the inner ring of the city network’s three planned lines. Analysts also predict that the first phase is the most crucial in terms of economic benefits and transportation.

Due to the scale and complexity of the tunnel construction, the megaproject is expected to involve several international specialist firms from China and potentially Western countries. More than 16,000 workers, including international tunneling experts, are projected to participate. The undertaking will require roughly 20 large tunnel-boring machines and an estimated 1.25 million concrete segments.

The Tel Aviv Metro project has faced multiple challenges, including organized boycott calls that have pressured some international companies to reconsider doing business with Israel. In addition, some global businesses are concerned about security since the Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack and the ongoing multifront war in the Middle East. In addition, Washington has voiced opposition to the involvement of Chinese construction firms in an Israeli infrastructure project of this scale.

In 2022, China accused the United States of meddling and sued the Israeli government for prioritizing Israeli and European construction businesses over their Chinese competitors.

Despite these hurdles, Israeli authorities emphasize the strategic importance of the Metro, noting its necessity for easing severe transportation congestion in the Tel Aviv Metropolitan area.

The first phase of construction is expected to be completed around 2032. Once finished, the Tel Aviv Metro network will span roughly 300 kilometers (186 miles) and include 109 underground stations. Far from serving only Tel Aviv, the system is designed to connect about 24 municipalities and towns across Israel’s densely populated central region. Its broader objective is to enhance mobility and boost national productivity.

In August 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated the Tel Aviv Light Rail system. The light rail system construction began in 2015 and has faced multiple delays before its opening two years ago.

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