Full Breakdown
Israel Railways Plans Service Cuts as Track 431 Project Advances
9/1/2026, 2:28:12 AM
Weekend Service Disruptions at Modi'in Stations
Israel Railways announced that trains will not run between Modi'in and Ben-Gurion Airport from Thursday 10:00 p.m. until Sunday 4:00 a.m., and that both Modi'in Center and Pa’ate Modi'in stations will be closed entirely on Saturday night. The line between Modi'in Center and Jerusalem-Yitzhak Navon will operate normally on Thursday night and Friday, while a free shuttle service will link the Modi'in stations with Ben-Gurion Airport. The railway noted that the Saturday-night closure of the Modi'in-Jerusalem line may be unrelated to the Track 431 works, but did not provide further clarification.
Track 431 Project Scope and Timeline
Track 431 is a 30-km railway line that will run largely within the right-of-way of Highway 431, linking Rishon LeZion, Modi'in and Jerusalem. Project officials state that the line is budgeted at NIS 3.5 billion and is slated for completion in 2028. Upon completion, Track 431 will join the existing Track 531 loop—connecting Herzliya, Rosh Ha’ayin, Bnei Brak, Ra’anana and Petah Tikva—to form a full rail ring around the congested Gush Dan region. The Eastern Rail Line, partially opened on June 28, already connects the eastern end of Track 531 to Israel’s north and, eventually, south, bypassing the Tel Aviv Ayalon corridor.
Station Renovations and New Tunnels
As part of the expansion, the existing Rishon LeZion stations are being renovated to accommodate the new line, and a second Ramle station is under construction south of the city to complement the current station on the Beersheba-Lod-Tel Aviv line. In February, the project achieved a milestone with the breakthrough of the 400-meter Mevo Ayalon Tunnel, linking the new Rishon LeZion-Tashach station to the coastal track. The complementary Ramla South Tunnel has already been completed.
Impact on Commuters and Network Capacity
The temporary service cuts are mitigated by the shuttle to the airport and by maintaining the Modi'in-Jerusalem connection on Thursday night and Friday. Longer-term, the addition of Track 431, together with a fourth track under construction on the Ayalon corridor, is intended to increase overall railway capacity and reduce congestion on existing lines.
Outlook and Future Developments
When finished, Track 431 will provide a direct rail link from Jerusalem to the Shfela region and Israel’s southern coast, enhancing regional connectivity. The project’s integration with Track 531 and the Eastern Rail Line is expected to create a comprehensive rail ring around Gush Dan, supporting future passenger growth and easing pressure on the Ayalon corridor.
