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Highway 6 (Israel)
Encyclopedia
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. The highway was officially dedicated as the Yitzhak Rabin Highway , though this name is not commonly used. It started operating in the early 2000s and is being lengthened as construction proceeds on newer sections. As of 2009, parts of it are still under construction and the northern terminus was extended to the Ein Tut Interchange on July 20, 2009 where the highway now merges into Highway 70
Highway 70 (Israel)
Highway 70 is a highway in the coastal plain and Western Galilee in northern Israel. It connects the region of Zikhron Ya'akov to the Lower Galilee and to Kiryat Ata and Shlomi near Israel's border with Lebanon.-Description of the route:...
heading northwards.
The aim of the Highway is to provide an efficient north-south transportation corridor in the country while allowing drivers to bypass the traffic-congested Tel Aviv region
Gush Dan
The Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area , or Gush Dan , is a metropolitan area including areas from both the Tel Aviv and the Central Districts of Israel. The area is closely linked to the city of Tel Aviv through social, economic, and cultural ties. It is located along the Israeli Mediterranean coastline...
, located in the center of the country. Thus it is the Eastern-most major highway in Israel, in some places located almost right on the Green Line
Green Line (Israel)
Green Line refers to the demarcation lines set out in the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and its neighbours after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War...
. Currently Highway 6 is 140 km long, all of which is a freeway. This figure will grow in the next few years as additional segments, currently undergoing statutory approvals and permitting processes, are extended from the existing section of the road.
Highway 6 is the first Israeli BOT
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...
road constructed, carried out mainly by the private sector in return for a license to collect tolls on the highway for a given number of years. It is also one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken in Israel in recent years.
Unique characteristics and pricing
Highway 6 uses a system of cameras and transponderTransponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
s to toll vehicles automatically. There are no toll booths, allowing Highway 6 to be designed as a normal freeway with interchanges. A radio antenna detects when a vehicle with a transponder has entered and exited the highway, calculating the toll rate. For vehicles without a transponder, an automatic license plate recognition system is used. Monthly statements are mailed to users. Highway 6 is based on the technology of the Highway 407 in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The pricing scheme for Highway 6 is based on the number of segments a driver passes in a given trip. Each segment is the road span between two interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
s (with one particular interchange being an exception). As of April 2010, the pricing for up to 3 segments is 17.79 NIS
Israeli new sheqel
The Israeli New Shekel is the currency of the State of Israel. The shekel is divided into 100 agorot...
, 21.39 for 4 segments, and 24.99 for 5 or more segments. Additional fee is paid when driving through the "northern" segment, the cost of which is additional 4.67. Pricing for motorcycles and heavy vehicles such as trucks is different.
The price above is for drivers who register with Highway 6's operator and install the in-vehicle transponder unit (called a "Passkal", pronounced with emphasis on the "kal", lit. "easy-pass") to record their highway usage. When a vehicle does not have a transponder, its license plate is scanned
Video tolling
Video tolling is a technique for toll collection using video or still images of a vehicle's license plate to identify the vehicle for payment.- Technology :...
and the vehicle identified. Drivers who pre-register their license plate with the Highway 6's operator and establish a direct billing relationship receive a discounted rate (though they pay more than those who have installed a "Passkal"). If a license plate is not located in Highway 6's database then the bill is sent to the owner of the vehicle according to the car registration with the Israeli Ministry of Transportation. Such a vehicle pays the highest rate, 40-80% higher than "Passkal" rates.
The licensed road operator, Derech Eretz, operates a fleet of service vehicles that patrol the entire length of the highway and assist drivers in need. Since it is technically a private road, the road operator is required to pay the police for traffic enforcement.
Financial results and statistics
In March 2006, Derech Eretz reported a profit of 89 million NIS for 2005, an increase of 56% from 2004, on income of 779 million NIS, an increase of 137% from 2004.At the end of 2005:
- about 500 000 registered subscribers (one subscriber can own multiple vehicles),
- 1.36 million individual users (increase from 1.1 million users),
- 21 million trips,
- 80% of trips are by subscribers,
- Bill collection success rate was 97%.
Interchanges
The highway's kilometer count starts at 66, since it includes the planned southern extensions.
| km | Name | Type | Meaning | Location | Road(s) Crossed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | מחלף מאחז (Ma'ahaz Interchange) |
 |
Named after nearby Ma'ahaz Stream |
Beit Kama Beit Kama Beit Kama is a kibbutz in the northern Negev desert in Israel. It belongs to the jurisdiction of Bnei Shimon Regional Council.-Background and Geography:... |
 (Highway 40 Highway 40 (Israel) Highway 40 is a north-south intercity road in Israel. At 302 km long, it is the second longest highway in Israel, after Highway 90. The highway runs from Kfar Sava in the center of Israel to the Arabah in the south, serving as a main connection between central Israel and Be'er Sheva.-Route... ) |
| 76 | מחלף קרית גת (Kiryat Gat Interchange) |
 |
Named after location | Kiryat Gat |  (Highway 35 Highway 35 (Israel) Highway 35 is a highway in south-central Israel. It runs roughly from west to east. It begins in Ashkelon, passes through the Lakhish region and Kiryat Gat, crosses the Green Line and terminates at a junction with Highway 60 near Hebron. Highway 35 is 58 km long.-Junctions and interchanges on... ) |
| 100 | מחלף שורק (Sorek Interchange) |
|
Named after nearby Brook of Sorek Brook of Sorek Nahal Sorek , also Soreq, is one of the largest, most important drainage basins in the Judean Hills. It is mentioned in the Book of Judges 16:4 of the Bible as the border between the ancient Philistines and the Tribe of Dan of the ancient Israelites... |
Yad Binyamin Yad Binyamin Yad Binyamin is a communal settlement in central Israel. The seat of Nahal Sorek Regional Council, it is located adjacent to the junction of three major highways: Highway 3, Highway 6 and Highway 7... |
  (Highway 3 Highway 3 (Israel) Highway 3 is a highway in Israel. It begins at Beit Horon junction with Highway 443 near Modi'in, it passes through Kiryat Malakhi, and it ends a junction with Highway 4 on the outskirts of Ashkelon.- Plan for the future :... /Highway 7) |
| In planning stages | |||||
| 106 |  מחלף חולדה(Hulda Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Hulda | (Route 411) |
| 111 | Petrol and rest area Rest area A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads... |
   |
Na'an Na'an Na'an is a kibbutz near the city of Rehovot in Israel. Located within the Central District, it falls under the jurisdiction of Gezer Regional Council and borders the villages of Ganei Hadar, Ramot Meir and Sitria.... |
  both directions |
|
| 114 | מחלף נשרים (Nesharim Interchange) |
|
Named after nearby Nesher Factory |
Ramla Ramla Ramla , is a city in central Israel. The city is predominantly Jewish with a significant Arab minority. Ramla was founded circa 705–715 AD by the Umayyad Caliph Suleiman ibn Abed al-Malik after the Arab conquest of the region... |
   (Highway 431/Highway 44/Route 424) |
| 118 | מחלף דניאל (Daniel Interchange) concurrent section with Highway 1 Concurrency (road) A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers... |
|
Named after location | Kfar Daniel Kfar Daniel Kfar Daniel is a moshav shitufi in central Israel. Located around four kilometres south-east of Lod and covering 2,900 dunams, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Modi'in Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 297.... |
 (Highway 1 Highway 1 (Israel) Highway 1 , is the main highway connecting Tel Aviv with Jerusalem.-History:The section between Latrun and Jerusalem roughly follows an ancient path connecting Jaffa and Jerusalem... west-bound) |
| 122 | מחלף בן שמן (Ben Shemen Interchange Ben Shemen Interchange Ben Shemen Interchange is a major freeway interchange complex in central Israel, connecting Highway 1, Highway 6, Route 443 and Route 444, as well as several local roads. The interchange is located near moshav Ben Shemen and Ben Shemen Forest, hence its name... ) |
|
Named after location | Ben Shemen Ben Shemen Ben Shemen is a moshav in central Israel. Located around four kilometres east of Lod, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hevel Modi'in Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 627.... |
  (Highway 1 Highway 1 (Israel) Highway 1 , is the main highway connecting Tel Aviv with Jerusalem.-History:The section between Latrun and Jerusalem roughly follows an ancient path connecting Jaffa and Jerusalem... east-bound/Route 443/Route 444) |
| 123 | tunnel |  |
Named after location | Tel Hadid | 2 lanes - 450 metres |
| 123 | Bridge |  |
Named after location | Tel Hadid | 2 lanes - 300 metres |
| 124 | Bridge | |
Named after location | Beit Nehemiah | 2 lanes - 170 metres |
| In planning stages | |||||
| 133 | מחלף גבעת כ"ח (Giv'at Koah Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Giv'at Koah |  (Route 444; Route 461) |
| 137 | מחלף נחשונים (Nahshonim Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Nahshonim Nahshonim Nahshonim is a kibbutz in central Israel. Located in the south of the Sharon plain near Rosh HaAyin, it falls under the jurisdiction of Drom HaSharon Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 310.... |
 (Route 471 Route 471 (Israel) Route 471 , commonly called Maccabit Road, is a suburban expressway in the center of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area in Israel. The expressway connects Highway 4 in the west with Route 444 in the east... ) |
| 142 | מחלף קסם (Kessem Interchange) |
|
Named after nearby Kafr Qasim Kafr Qasim Kafr Qasim , is a hill-top Israeli Arab city located about twenty kilometers east of Tel Aviv, near the Green Line separating Israel and the West Bank, on the southern portion of the "Little Triangle" of Arab-Israeli towns and villages. The town became notorious for the Kafr Qasim massacre, in... |
Rosh HaAyin Rosh HaAyin Rosh HaAyin is a city in the Center District of Israel. To the west of Rosh HaAyin is the fortress of Antipatris and the source of the Yarkon River. To the southeast is the fortress of Migdal Afek... |
 (Highway 5 Highway 5 (Israel) Highway 5, or the Trans-Samaria Highway , is one of Israel's main highways, connecting the Mediterranean coast immediately north of Tel Aviv with the central Sharon plain and eastwards to Ariel and other Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank, known under the biblical name Samaria.The name... /Route 444) |
| 145 | מחלף חורשים (Horshim Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Horshim |   (Route 531 Route 531 (Israel) Route 531 , is a suburban freeway in the southern Sharon region of Israel, just north of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area.-Herzliya–Ra'anana extension:... /Road 5233) |
| 153 | מחלף אייל (Eyal Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Eyal Eyal Eyal is a kibbutz in the Centre District of Israel close to the Green line. It is under the jurisdiction of the Drom HaSharon Regional Council-Geography:... |
 (Route 551) |
| 166 | מחלף ניצני עוז (Nitzanei Oz Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Nitzanei Oz Nitzanei Oz Nitzanei Oz is a moshav in central Israel. Located in the Sharon plain near the Green Line and Tulkarm, it falls under the jurisdiction of Lev HaSharon Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 811.... |
 (Highway 57 Highway 57 (Israel) Highway 57 is an east-west highway through central Israel and the West Bank. In the past, it was an uninterrupted road from Netanya, a city on the Mediterranean coast in the west, to Damia Bridge across the Jordan River in the east. The road existed in its full length from the time of the British... ) |
| 174 | Petrol and rest area Rest area A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads... |
|
Lehavot Haviva Lehavot Haviva Lehavot Haviva is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the eastern Sharon plain near the Green Line, it falls under the jurisdiction of Menashe Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 264.... |
both directions |
|
| 177 | מחלף באקה (Baqa Interchange) |
|
Named after location | Baqa-Jat Baqa-Jat Baqa-Jatt is an Israeli-Arab city in the Haifa District of Israel established in 2003 through a merger of Baqa al-Gharbiyye and Jatt. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , Baqa-Jatt had a population of 32,400 at the end of 2007... |
 (Highway 61) |
| 186 | מחלף עירון (Iron Interchange) |
|
Named after nearby Iron Stream |
Barkai Barkai Barkai is an Israeli kibbutz in the Menashe Regional Council on the western side of Wadi Ara. Its main industries include thermal and acoustic insulation, lamination and packaging: the Polyon Barkai factory; and agriculture: cattle, poultry, avocado and field crops.-External links:* *... |
 (Highway 65 Highway 65 (Israel) Highway 65 is a major highway in northern Israel. It connects Hadera with the Galilee.This road is the shortest and simplest way to connect these two major regions. Historically, people traveled on or near this route for thousands of years from the coastal plain to reach the Galilee, and beyond... ) |
| 194.5 | tunnel | |
Named after location | Giv'at Nili Givat Nili Givat Nili is a moshav in northern Israel. Located near Zikhron Ya'akov and Wadi Ara, it falls under the jurisdiction of Alona Regional Council. In 2006 its population was 461.... |
2 lanes - 350 metres |
| 200 | מחלף עין תות (Ein Tut Interchange) |
|
Named after nearby Nahal Tut Nahal Tut Nahal Tut is an archaeological site excavated along the streambed of the same name in northern Israel's Menashe Heights from February to July of 2005 by Amir Gorzalczany and Gerald Finkielsztejn in preparation for the northward extension of Highway 6... |
Elyakim |  (Highway 70 Highway 70 (Israel) Highway 70 is a highway in the coastal plain and Western Galilee in northern Israel. It connects the region of Zikhron Ya'akov to the Lower Galilee and to Kiryat Ata and Shlomi near Israel's border with Lebanon.-Description of the route:... ) |