NTA-Isreal

NTA:

METROPOLITAN MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM LTD

THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY PROMISING RELIEF IN ISRAEL’S FUTURE

When people think of vibrant Mediterranean cities, Tel Aviv is often overlooked. And yet, anyone who has been to the city comes away with the impression that it’s arguably the best display of all that is modern in the region quite a big claim when it can count Rome and Athens among others in its vicinity, but it’s a claim which Tel Aviv can stake a strong claim to.

For example, Israel has more companies on the NASDAQ, the world’s benchmark technology stock exchange, than any other country other than the United States. Most of these companies work out of Tel Aviv. It recently was voted the 2nd most innovative city in the world, and the best city in the Middle East for young people to live in.

It’s only right then, that the city should have an infrastructure that reflects its growing stature.

The NTA is responsible for the design and construction of a mass transit system for the Tel Aviv metropolis. We recently spoke with Mr. Sharon Volfer VP of Resources at the NTA, about how the project is progressing and how it will make Tel Aviv a model for sustainable transport in the region when finished.

The NTA was founded as far back as 1997, but has really only come into its own since current CEO, Yehuda Bar-On was appointed in 2014, from when the company began pushing ahead with its plans for Tel Aviv. As Volfer explains: “Construction of the first LRT line – The Red Line – began in August 2015 and it is expected to be operational in October 2021.”

NTA SETS ABOUT RESOLVING TEL AVIV’S INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS Until the beginning of the 21st century, Tel Aviv was a city whose population had grown at a reasonable rate for decades. But around that time, increased jobs and opportunities combined with a growing reputation led to a spike in the population. From 2005 to 2015, the population began to grow at a much faster pace - over 1% annually.

This growth called for an updated, modern transport system. As Sharon Volfer explains: “NTA’s vision is to provide a convenient and advanced public transport service, which will be an attractive option to a wider public, so

Photo: Dagan avs.

Israel's leading real estate and infrastructure group.

Creating sustainable living environments around the world for us and for generations to come

www.shikunbinui.co.il

SHIKUN & BINUI SOLEL BONEH INFRASTRUCTURES Tunnel boring beneath a vibrant metropolitan area is always a challenge. Tunneling the new and first subway system in Tel Aviv, Israel’s busiest and most crowded area, without noise or interference from the upward movement is even more challenging and complex. The 23 km light metro Red line (to first line to be built) will link Petah Tikva city northeast of Tel Aviv with Bat Yam to the south.

Shikun Binui - Solel Boneh Infrastructures Ltd. is in charge of construction The Box works of the western section of the Tel Aviv light rail. The western section includes two parallel tunnels of 5 km each (10 km total) and the construction of six underground stations.

Shikun & Binui Group, a part of the Arison Group, is Israel's leading infrastructure and real estate group, its origins go back90 years. Shikun & Binui is a global group active in over 20 countries in four continents. The Group is involved in mega projects all over the world worth billions of dollars, characterized by high complexity levels while maintaining the highest performance standard.

Alongside the engineering challenges, there is a major and crucial factor in this big dig mega project. Ehud Danoch, CEO, Shikun & Binui Solel Boneh Infrastructures: “It is a complex project that includes stringent environmental requirements designed to significantly facilitate business owners and residents during the execution of the work”.

Orry Ben-Porath, Shikun & Binui's VP Sustainability: “We invest a lot of work and resources into stakeholder engagement under the direction of our client NTA. We make sure that we minimize the effects of the massive construction works on the environment and on our surrounding stakeholders”.

There are many interfaces with which it is necessary to be in touch all the time and coordinate steps with them, such as Israel Police, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, NTA, Ayalon Freeway (30 meters above our works), residential buildings around and above the places where the work is being carried out, 5 different local authorities such as Tel Aviv-Jaffa or Ramat-Gan municipalities. This complexity requires technological sensitivities and tools that must be run online with a control room.

Danoch: “Shikun & Binui adopted a vision of Sustainability: ‘to be a leading business group that creates a sustainable advanced living environment in Israel and worldwide, for our own sakes and for future generations’. Shikun & Binui adopted advanced sustainable construction standards, and put emphasis in conducting itself with transparency while cooperating with stakeholders and others”.

www.shikunbinui.co.il

that in 2040 it will be able to serve 40% of the metropolis residents, similar to the norm in the world's big cities.”

Getting to that stage is a considerable undertaking for the NTA; Sharon Volfer tells us: “The Red Line is considered to be the largest and most complex infrastructure project in Israel. It passes through the busiest routes of five municipalities – each requiring specific coordination, as well as complex coordination with infrastructure companies.”

No expense has been spared to ensure that the project’s development matches the ambitions of the city it serves. The project budget is approximately US$4.5 billion, fully funded by the Israeli government. NTA currently employs 140 workers, and in total, the project employs several thousand people, including local and foreign contractors and advisors.

GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE IS SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE The first point to note about the NTA’s Tel Aviv transport plans are the number of cars it will take off the road when operational. Sharon Volfer says: “The Red Line is expected to serve approximately 250 thousand people a day, once it becomes operational. According to the forecast, the train line will remove approximately 50 thousand private vehicles from the roads.”

He continues: “NTA is committed to environmental and sustainability values throughout the project. Even at the design stages, a guide was formulated requiring the integration of green construction standards

and a supervisory system to oversee the project’s sustainability values.” This includes considerations for solid waste, water recycling and the replanting of any trees which need to be moved during construction.

The same criteria are demanded of its partners.

As Mr. Volfer points out: “All implementation contractors are required to hire environmental managers to monitor the project, and management companies supervise the

process. In the process of designing the carriages, requirements were included for energy efficiency, regeneration of energy, use of recyclable materials and more.”

PARTNERSHIPS While NTA has employed the services of Parson Brinckerhoff as the project managers on the project (PB is working as the Senior Consultant providing programme management, technical, engineering, planning and commercial assistance for the network), the majority

of those employed by the project - both companies and people - are Israeli nationals.

Sharon Volfer explains: “The larger part of the suppliers for the project are local. The project is, in fact, responsible for the employment of thousands of Israelis. Foreign suppliers are also obligated to reciprocal procurement in Israel.”

First among them are the construction companies.

Mr. Volfer notes: “The implementation of the underground sections of the line will be carried out by partnerships

Proud to be a part of the NTA National Project In the construction of the light rail of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Train

of large Israeli construction contractors and experienced Chinese tunneling companies.”

These include CRTG and Solel Boneh on the western part of the construction and tunneling, and CCECC and Danya Cebus on its eastern part.

Italy’s D’Appolonia takes charge of quality control on all operations, while further local firms like Dana engineering and Spivak engineering are responsible for engineering functions on the western and eastern part of the project, respectively. Finally, CRC (Changchun Railway Vehicles) is the supplier of the rolling stock, while systems tenders are currently in operation.

Bridge 6 / Latrun

Ben Gurion International Airport

MINRAV

MINRAV ENGINEERING & BUILDING LTD

972-88516265 www.minrav.co.il

MINRAV HOLDINGS GROUP The Minrav Holdings Group was founded in 1969

by Avraham Kuznitzky, who serves as chairman of the company, and focuses mainly on the real estate sector, including: initiating residential construction projects (through the public subsidiary of Minrav Projects); BOT franchising; contracting work for construction and infrastructure in the public, business and private sectors as well as rental and management of yielding properties. Among other things, the company established the IDF Training Base in the Negev, Israel's newest and most advanced military base, Bridge 6, which is one of the longest bridges in Israel, tunnels for the Jerusalem express train, etc.

In the past year, the subsidiary, Minrav Engineering and Building began to carry out the construction of the Turkish Railway Portal for the Red Line of the NTA Light Railway. The project includes, inter alia, construction of the section from Koifman Street in West Tel Aviv to Pines Street in East Tel Aviv, about a kilometer long, including the construction of the Eliflet station and the tunnel using the Hafur and Kasa method. From the station to the entrance to Herzl Street. Minrav Engineering, which won the tender to carry out the work several months ago for a total consideration estimated at NIS 224 million plus VAT, is expected to build the project within 36 months. www.minrav.co.il

OPENING BRIGHT OPPORTUNITIES IN TEL AVIV Make no mistake, the NTA’s LTR project will transform the fabric of Tel Aviv for the better. Mr. Sharon Volfer firmly believes this: “NTA’s network of light railway lines is being constructed at the time of vast regeneration and development of the metropolis. The light railway will upgrade the urban space, improve the environment and create a new and advanced urban culture similar to that in the largest and most beautiful cities in the world.”

The Israel government has also recognized its importance to the country as a whole, already setting the budget for two further LRT lines - the Purple Line (from the east of the city to the heart of Tel Aviv) and the Green

Line (connecting the north and south of the city), both to be constructed by the NTA. In addition, the NTA has been assigned to begin As the previous Athens planning for metrosections lines thatalluded will be to, added to International is just the nexus of a large the network inAirport the future. number of stakeholders. Primary among these The NTA’s motto which translates are the suppliers allow as it tosomething maintain a close to ‘tough now, to relief later.’ The light rail world-class service its passengers.

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in Israel’s second biggest city, considerably improving sustainability in the city - and presenting a side to Tel Aviv that many aren’t familiar with: the Mediterranean’s most impressive 21st century cities.

NTA- Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd Phone : +972-3-7243000 Fax:+972-3-7243000 Public inquiries: *4575 Azrieli Center, Building A 9th floor 26 Harokmin St., P.O box 1802, Holon Postal Code: 5885849 http://www.nta.co.il

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