Highway 31 (Israel)
Highway 31 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
כביש 31 | ||||
Route information | ||||
Length | 60.5 km (37.6 mi) | |||
Existed | 1963–present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
West end | Lakiya Interchange | |||
East end | Zohar Junction | |||
Location | ||||
Country | Israel | |||
Highway system | ||||
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Highway 31 is an inter-city
History
The initial plan for road construction was formulated in the mid-1950s.[1]
In July 1961, the construction of the western section of the road between
The road included one lane in each direction, and during 2010-2012, 30 people were killed in traffic accidents.[14] The section between Arad and Sodom was a dangerous road descending to the Dead Sea region in sharp turns until it was upgraded in 2014. This section is loved by bikers, some of whom have died on it. South of the road is a cluster of several memorials to bikers who were killed on the so-called "Death Road." In 2010, the National Roads Company of Israel began a project to widen the road to two lanes in both lanes in the Shoket - Arad section. The project includes the construction of a wide and protective traffic island between the tracks, as well as the construction of interchanges in place of the existing intersections. Most of the interchanges were opened in 2015. As part of the works, intensive treatment was carried out to develop scenery and landscaping on the roadside, sidewalks were erected, and lighting was installed along the entire section length. In addition, a bicycle path was paved, and safety rails were placed for vehicles and pedestrians.[15] At the entrance to the city of Arad, a traffic light was placed to regulate traffic between Highway 31 and Shamir and Kan'im streets.
On February 3, 2015, an accident occurred between a truck carrying a tractor and a bus near the Lehavim intersection. 8 residents of Hura and the surrounding area were killed and dozens were injured.
In the past, the road continued west until the HaNasi Junction. Today, the section of the road from HaNasi Junction to Lehavim Junction is marked as Route 310. Highway 6 was paved using the existing route of Highway 31 from Lehavim to Lakiya Interchange, and today, this section is marked as Highway 6 only. The section was opened in 2015. Highway 6 continues south and connects to the upgraded road to Arad at the Shoket Interchange.
Junctions & Interchanges (West to East)
District[16] | Location[17] | km | mi | Name | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern | Lakiya | 0 | 0.0 | מחלף לקייה (Lakiya Interchange) | Highway 6 Route 358 | |
2 | 1.2 | צומת לקייה (Lakiya Junction) | Entrance to Lakiya | |||
Tel Shoket | 3.5 | 2.2 | מחלף שוקת (Shoket Interchange) | Highway 6 | ||
Highway 60 | ||||||
Hura | 8 | 5.0 | מחלף חורה (Hura Interchange) | Entrance to Hura | ||
10 | 6.2 | מחלף יתיר (Yatir Interchange) | Route 316 | |||
Mulada | 13.5 | 8.4 | מחלף מולדה (Mulada Interchange) | Entrance to Mulada | ||
Nasasra | 20 | 12 | מחלפון נבטים (Nevatim Interchange) | Entrance to Nasasra | ||
Kuseife | 22.5 | 14.0 | מחלף כסייפה (Kuseife Interchange) | Road 3112 Entrance to Kuseife | ||
Tel Arad | 28.5 | 17.7 | צומת תל ערד (Tel Arad Junction) | Highway 80 | ||
Arad | 32 | 20 | מחלף פארק ערד (Arad Park Interchange) | Entrance to Arad Park | ||
37 | 23 | צומת ערד (Arad Junction) | Road 3199 | |||
Hatrurim Formation | 54 | 34 | צומת חתרורים (Hatrurim Junction) | Route 258 | ||
Highway 90 | ||||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
Gallery
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Information sign near the junction with Highway 90
Hazardous road
Road 31, nicknamed road of death[18] had been declared a red road (a road that has more than average number of fatal accidents) by both Or Yarok[19] and the Israeli police.[20] The road had an average of 2 fatal accidents per month between 2011 and 2013,[21] and had a total of 87 dead and 1399 wounded up until 2015.[22]
References
- ^ Raphael Bashan [in Hebrew] (20 March 1958). "הטכניון הולך לראש זוהר" (in Hebrew). Maariv.
- ^ "דרך סדום-אילת תקוצר ב-70 קילומטר" (in Hebrew). Davar. 15 May 1961.
- ^ "הוחל בסלילת הכביש לערד" (in Hebrew). Davar. 17 July 1961.
- ^ "שני אירועים בנגב" (in Hebrew). Davar. 21 July 1961.
- ^ "הדרך החדשה לערד" (in Hebrew). Davar. 5 March 1962.
- ^ "ממשיכים בפריצת הדרך לערד" (in Hebrew). Davar. 1 May 1962.
- ^ "הוקפאו עבודות הפיתוח בערד בגלל המשבר בהנהלת החבל" (in Hebrew). Davar. 7 May 1962.
- ^ "ראשוני מתיישבים בערד - בדצמבר" (in Hebrew). Davar. 26 October 1962.
- ^ "נחנך הכביש החדש לערד" (in Hebrew). Davar. 15 February 1963.
- ^ "מכתב שר העבודה להוריו של גרשון דובנבבוים" (in Hebrew).
- ^ "המכשול האחרון בתוואי הכביש" (in Hebrew). Davar. 4 September 1962.
- ^ "נחנך כביש ערד - ים המלח" (in Hebrew). Davar. 4 June 1964.
- ^ "הושלמה סלילת הכביש מערד לים־הםלח" (in Hebrew). Al HaMishmar. 12 May 1964.
- ^ יניר יגנה (10 October 2012). "כביש 31 לערד: 30 ק"מ שגבו 30 הרוגים בשלוש שנים" (in Hebrew). Haaretz.
- Netivei Israel. 27 February 2011.
- ^ Survey of Israel (31 October 2018). "מחוזות משרד הפנים" [Ministry of Interior districts] (Map). Govmap (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ Survey of Israel (31 October 2018). "גבולות ישובים" [Locality borders] (Map). Govmap (in Hebrew). Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ "3 צעירים מחורה נהרגו ב"כביש המוות"" [Three youths killed in "Death Road"] (in Hebrew). Radio Darom. 10 September 2016.
- ^ "כבישים אדומים" [Red roads] (in Hebrew). Or Yarok.
- Mako.
- nrg Maariv. 30 January 2013.
- Walla!.
See also
- List of highways in Israel