Road and Transportation Master Plan

Responsible Party and Year Completed: Ministry of Transportation, 2016 

Link: https://www.systematica.net/project/road-and-transportation-master-plan-of-west-bank-and-gaza-strip/ 

Status: Completed

Contact: Systematica 

Website

Executive Summary:

The Road and Transportation Master Plan for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the first of its kind since the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in 1994, is a comprehensive strategy to unify the transport sector across both regions.

It focuses on establishing a multimodal transport network and a phased development strategy, integrating West Bank and Gaza Strip into a cohesive framework.

The plan includes a Spatial Design Master Plan and an Implementation Program Plan, aiming to improve connectivity on various scales and create a unified vision for the future of Palestinian transport.

Short term priorities:

  • Identify a short-term investment plan for urgent and essential transport projects.
  • Enhance transport within the West Bank and Gaza Strip, focusing on local connectivity.
  • Create new and refurbishing existing transport infrastructures, including roads, railways, and public transport systems in major cities.

Long term priorities:

  • Develop a major transport axis combining rail and road networks.
  • Implement additional transport routes to facilitate movement across different regions.
  • Upgrade facilities at border crossings to improve freight and logistics operations.

Immediate Priorities / Proposed Next Steps:

  • Construct two main railway lines – an international line connecting Rafah Border Crossing in Gaza Strip to Al Beyda new Border Crossing in West Bank, and a national line connecting Al Khalil/Hebron to Jenin.
  • Revamp the fishery port in the Gaza Strip, build a new commercial port in Gaza City, refurbishing the damaged airport in the Gaza Strip, reopening Qalandia Air Field, and constructing a new international airport in the Jordan Valley.
  • Implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in major Palestinian cities, including Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, Gaza City, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah.