Jerusalem's L3 opens after years of delays, turning one light rail line into a network
Jerusalem's new L3 line connects Haturim with Malha, creating the city's first interconnected light rail network after years of construction, disruption and delays.
After enduring years of construction delays, Jerusalem's L3 light rail line officially opened its doors to the public this week. Stretching seven kilometers from Haturim station to Malha Mall, the segment represents the first part of the broader Green Line project to become operational. The grand opening was attended by key figures in Jerusalem's infrastructure, including Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Mayor Moshe Lion, and Cfir CEO Oren Cohen.
The yellow-hued line now offers 12 stations, connecting Haturim to the Knesset and Hebrew University's Givat Ram campus, as well as Teddy Stadium and Pais Arena. Passengers have praised the L3 for its reliability and convenience, with one commenting on its timeliness and ease of access to Malha. The Red Line, operating for 15 years, has recently expanded to link Neve Yaakov and Hadassah Ein Kerem, handling 200,000 daily riders.
However, the L3's delayed opening has been a source of frustration for residents, who have endured construction, detours, and business disruptions for nearly a decade. Despite the delays, city officials are optimistic that the L3's completion marks a significant step toward a fully interconnected transit network in Jerusalem, with further lines planned for the coming years.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
