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June 26, 2008

Light Rail in Jerusalem, controversial there, too

The new light rail line under construction in Jerusalem has a unique bridge at the entrance to Jerusalem. It is also known as the Bridge of Strings.
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Like with all light rail lines, the project has been controversial and charged with being over budget, late and making traffic congestion worse.

Heat over troubled bridge:

Nevertheless, the full picture is much less rosy than the PR. While it is true that Jaffa Road will turn into a pedestrian mall once the trams start running, the price that other streets in the area will pay will more than make up for any good on Jaffa Road.

The traffic that will be banned from Jaffa Road to make room for the trains - according to the agreement signed with the operator - will flow instead onto the roads surrounding the center, and it will turn these urban streets into main roads, and drive out the soul of downtown.

Worst off will be Prophets Street, a wonderful, historic little neighborhood with unique architecture that may be turned into a polluted and congested traffic artery.

In Jerusalem, even a bridge divides:

Yet the bridge, with its 387-foot tilted mast and 66 cables, has not been uniformly welcomed in the city, where architectural change often confronts the weight of history and forces of habit that run deep.

"This is out of proportion, grandiose and has gone too far," said Yoni Tzabari, 30, as he gazed at the steel and cable complex outside his window. "We're not in New York."

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