The Saga of Jaffa Road and the Light Rail

United States special envoy George Mitchell came and went,

Earth Day and an hour of “lights out” came and went,

a day of April showers came and went,

protesters in Silwan came and went,

and the 1400th day of captivity for Gilad Shalit came and went.

   But, the construction on the Jerusalem Light Rail Project goes on and on.

August 5, 2008

The King George Street and Jaffa Road area,

once a popular and busy part of the city was closed to traffic.

Jaffa Road      May 6, 2009

Walking around the constantly changing barriers

is a challenge for most people,

but this lone workman in a safety vest has no problem

walking up the middle of empty Jaffa Road.

 

September 22, 2009

 On Jaffa Road, after part of the tracks were finished,

November 11, 2009

they were covered over.

           

December 9, 2009

 

 

Not all tracks are covered over.

January 7, 2010

Nearby, on Herzl Boulevard,

they are blocked by cement barriers and used for parking, and a bus detour.

January 17, 2010

Workman on Jaffa Road

 February 17, 2010

 and no workman on Jaffa Road.

April 26, 2010

Construction continues.

There are some signs of progress,

but most signs inform people of changing traffic patterns.

The newest completion date is set for next April 2011.

Until then the light rail train and crowds of happy people

exist only on the building mural high above

 the intersection of Jaffa Road and King George Street.

9 thoughts on “The Saga of Jaffa Road and the Light Rail

  • June 16, 2010 at 5:51 am
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    Thanks for sharing the pictures. It is really nice to see the real pictures of the place.

    Reply
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  • March 11, 2017 at 4:08 pm
    Permalink

    How nice to stumble across your website after so many years away, I was a tour guide mid 1970s and lived in the Hotel Ram for 5 years (Now called Caesar I think) next to the Egged Bus station. I was there for the Eurovision song contest (I had bets on with the locals it would win!!!) anyhow got tickets and had lively night just across road from the Hotel Ram, also one year the American president came and stopped outside the city across the road from the Hotel and I went to the Presidential Residence for the 30th Anniversary of the state of Israel.
    Happy times, PS Tried to attach photo of tons of snow one year which stopped the coaches sightseeing and the army had tanks in the street to clear Jaffa road of snow,

    Reply
    • March 11, 2017 at 5:41 pm
      Permalink

      Thank you for your comment. Lots has happened since the light rail opened on Jaffa Road, be sure to see more of the Real Jerusalem Streets every week.

      Reply
      • March 12, 2017 at 4:35 pm
        Permalink

        Thanks for reply Sharon, what a fantastic sight Jaffa Road now is but it must have been years of upset for the people of the area. Please if you can as I realise you might be busy but can you tell me? Is the bus station still next to what was the old “Ram” hotel and is there still a “Shekim?” shop next door, and is the paved park still across the road from the hotel. From the new photos its very difficult to recall. Excuse spelling mistakes with places as its been so long but I was pleased to find your sight with the up-to-date photos. Kindest regards David

        Reply
        • March 13, 2017 at 6:04 pm
          Permalink

          Will have to look into the Ram Hotel. The Caesar Hotel is on Jaffa Road, not too far from the Central Bus Station. However, much has changed and even more is changing in Jerusalem daily.

          Reply
          • March 15, 2017 at 12:45 pm
            Permalink

            Will appreciate that, thanks

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