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The Metropolitan Jerusalem Master Plan
The Metropolitan Jerusalem Master Plan
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The Gush Etzion Junction
is an important focal point
for traffic in Judea today.
A bustling commercial
center is being developed
nearby. These make the
junction an ideal candidate
for the location of one
of the Jerusalem Gates.
The junction’s central
roundabout, today.
The concept governing
the location of each
gate is its prominent
location, which clearly
marks an entrance to
the metropolitan
which there is a good lookout point for
viewing the scenic city of Jerusalem.
In light of this, several alternatives
are proposed for locations of the
Jerusalem Gates, along central roads
to the city, with each one having its
pros and cons. At a later stage of the
project development, each option will
be analyzed, and the best ones shall be
chosen.
Route 1 West
– at the Latrun
interchange, the Sha’ar HaGai
interchange, or the Shoeva interchange.
Route 1 East
– at the Kfar Adumim
junction, the Good Samaritan junction,
the Mitzpeh Yericho junction, around
the Sea Level Lookout, or at the Almog
junction.
Route 443
– by the Modiin Paz gas
station or the Beit Horon area.
Route 60 North
– at the junction
by the entrance to Ofra, the junction at
the entrance to Migron, or the Sha’ar
Binyamin area.
Route 60 South
– at the Gush
Etzion junction compound.□
The khan at Sha’ar HaGai
was built in 1873 by
orders of the Ottoman
governor of Jerusalem,
on the side of the Jaffa
to Jerusalem road. This
road was inaugurated in
1869 in honor of Austro-
Hungarian Caesar Franz
Joseph’s visit to the city.
The khan was refurbished
several years ago but
remains abandoned.
Its incorporation in the
Jerusalem Gates project
on Route 1 will give it a
new use. The khan today.
to educating the public about the
basic concept behind the metropolitan
Jerusalem plan.
►►
Reinforcing identity as residents of
greater metropolitan Jerusalem among
the residents of each gate’s region, and
influencing – directly and indirectly –
their sense of awareness of belonging to
Jerusalem as a unique place.
►►
Building obvious means of recognition
for visitors to the metropolitan region,
thereby expanding significantly the
economic and tourism expanse for
which Jerusalem serves as a center.
►►
Creating information and tourism
centers by means of pairing gates with
tourism routes, information booths,
places for rest, shopping, tourism and
more.
The Gates’ Location
The concept governing the location
of each gate is its prominent location,
which clearly marks an entrance to the
metropolitan region. The construction
of it will not be complicated or expensive
and won’t require complex planning
processes. In light of this, the location
must be a place where people can easily
get off and on the road towards Jerusalem.
Preference will be given for existing stops
(such as gas stations or near junctions or
interchanges), such that it will be easy to
access the gate compound from either side
of the road, locations where there is easy
access to central walking routes (such as
the Israel Route, or hiking/biking trails -
coordinated with the SPNI, JNF, or other
relevant organizations), or locations from
Hotels and Tourism
Hotels and Tourism