Motza Bridge Near Yerushalayim Opens

The east-west section of the Motza bridge on Highway 1 — otherwise known to motorists as the “curve of death” — is no more.

A new Motza bridge, opened on Tuesday, eliminates the dangerous turn in the valley below Mevasseret Tzion, where dozens of lethal accidents have occurred over the years.

The two 90-ft.-high, 2400-ft.-long bridges cost 380 million shekels, and are part of the upgrading of Highway 1 between Shaar Hagai and Yerushalayim.

The west-east bridge will open in November along with the Harel tunnels to the west, which will replace the current Harel Interchange and remove much of the steep hill on Highway 1, leading up to the Castel.