Starting today: Main traffic artery blocked for two years
Starting at midnight, new and extensive traffic arrangements have come into effect in the area of Liberty Bell Park (Gan HaPaamon) and Derech Beit Lehem Street in Jerusalem. This is a significant change in the city's traffic map. Drivers and public transport passengers are asked to stay updated on alternative routes.
Jerusalemites, take note: Starting at midnight tonight (Tuesday, 18.8, 5th of Elul), new and extensive traffic arrangements have come into effect in the area of Liberty Bell Park (Gan HaPaamon) and Derech Beit Lehem Street. As part of infrastructure development works, the street is now blocked to traffic in both directions between the David Remez junction (gas station) and the Emek Refaim junction. The blockage is expected to last for about two years.
This is a significant change in the traffic map of the city's south and center. Drivers and public transport passengers are asked to be patient, stay updated on alternative routes, and prepare for expected congestion.
Major changes for private vehicles
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From the city center towards Derech Beit Lehem and Emek Refaim: detour via Jabotinsky, Yitzhak Elhanan, and Segen Cohen streets.
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From Derech Beit Lehem towards the city center: detour via Martin Luther King, Yitzhak Elhanan, and Jabotinsky streets.
Emek Refaim Street openings
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The section between Segen Cohen and Martin Luther King is reopened to northbound traffic.
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The section between Derech Beit Lehem and Martin Luther King is open to traffic in both directions.
Additionally, parking is canceled on Jabotinsky Street (between David Hamelech and Shalom Aleichem) and on the eastern side of Martin Luther King Street. Entry and exit to the parking lot are now possible through a new passage from Martin Luther King Street. Exit from the Sonol gas station on Derech Beit Lehem is possible to David Remez Street (southbound only). Entry from David Hamelech Street remains unchanged. Entry to S.A. Nachon Street is possible by turning left from David Hamelech Street for those coming from the north; exit is possible to David Hamelech Street only.
Pedestrian sidewalks on the western side of David Hamelech and David Remez streets are temporarily closed. Passage is available through Liberty Bell Park or via the eastern sidewalk. For cyclists, a new connection links the bike paths on Derech Beit Lehem and David Hamelech Street (near Bloomfield Park), west of the work area.
Bus route changes
Northbound lines affected: 7 (to Givat Ram), 8 (to David Hamelech), 34 (to Mount Scopus), 49 (to Neve Yaakov). Buses travel via Martin Luther King and Yitzhak Elhanan streets. The Liberty Bell Park / Derech Beit Lehem stop (1056) is canceled.
Southbound lines affected: All lines traveling south detour via Yitzhak Elhanan Street. Lines 34 (to Talpiot) and 49 (to Rozmarin) travel via Segen Cohen and Emek Refaim streets. Lines 77, 77a (to Malha) and 97 (to Ramat Rachel) continue via Dubnov Street. Line 8 (back to Talpiot) descends on Segen Cohen Street to Emek Refaim and returns via Martin Luther King Street. The Liberty Bell Park / Derech Beit Lehem stop (1058) is canceled.
Lines remaining unchanged: 18 (to Binyanei HaUma), 77/77a (to French Hill), 97 (to Ramat Rachel), and all lines traveling on David Remez Street.
