Kaplan Interchange
| Kaplan Interchange | |
|---|---|
 Image of the Kaplan Interchange | |
 | |
| Location | |
 Tel Aviv, Israel | |
| Coordinates | 32°04′24″N 34°47′25″E / 32.07333°N 34.79028°E |
| Roads at junction | Kaplan Street, Begin Road |
| Construction | |
| Type | Road intersection |
| Opened | 31 March 2003 |
Kaplan Interchange (Hebrew: מחלף קפלן) is an intersection between Kaplan Street and Begin Road in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. According to data from the Transport Ministry, the intersection averages more than 100,000 vehicles passing through each day. The intersection is adjacent to major office areas, such as HaKirya and Sarona, and is a block away from Highway 2.
History
[edit]Early modifications
[edit]The location of the Kaplan Interchange was first mentioned in 1964.[1] The interchange was a T-junction at the time, and parts of Kaplan Street did not yet exist. Construction of the extension began in 1966 with two steel bridges built over the Ayalon River.[2] In 1968, Kaplan Street underwent widening to two lanes each direction.[3] In 1971, the Minister of Transportation Shimon Peres proposing a plan for grade separation in the intersection,[4] and a budget was later approved but was left unimplemented.[5] In 1981, Petah Tikva Road (now Begin Road) also underwent widening to accommodate for public transportation.[6]
Planning and construction
[edit]In 1987, the Tel Aviv Municipality approved plans for the construction of the Azrieli Center, which included modifications for the adjacent Kaplan Interchange.[7] The plan was the largest construction plan in Israel at the time, and involved the construction of 115,000 m2 (1,240,000 sq ft) of offices and 35,000 m2 (380,000 sq ft) of shopping and entertainment space in six towers, each with 20 to 40 floors.[8] The plans also included a nearby parking lot of up to 3,000 vehicles,[9] and upgraded nearby roads to accomodate for increased traffic. The upgrades for Kaplan Interchange in particular were required in order to receive a completion certificate from the municipality.[10]
Following delays relating to the construction of Azrieli Center,[11] the construction planning for the interchange finally began in 1999 with five different plans under consideration.[12] This included a plan from architect Israel Goodovitch,[13] but was rejected for its high cost. A cheaper alternative was chosen, and soon a budget was approved.[14][15]
Since opening
[edit]On 31 March, 2003, the upgrades on Kaplan Interchange were completed, and the intersection reopened.[16] The modifications cost $90 million shekels in total,[17] and traffic volume was expected to increase from 100,000 vehicles daily before the upgrades,[18] to 150,000 daily after the intersection reopened.[19]
Since the 2010s, the Kaplan Interchange has become a popular location for protests in Israel. Different groups have held demonstrations in Kaplan Interchange for various causes, including supporters of the 2018–2019 Gaza border protests,[20] social workers demanding wage increases,[21] members of the LGBT community opposed to the Surrogacy Law,[22] protests from Ethiopian immigrants, supporters of the Yellow vests protests,[23] and participants of the 2023 Israeli judicial reform protests.[24][25][26] During the judicial reform protests, the Mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai decided to change the name of the intersection to Democracy Square (כיכר הדמוקרטיה).[27][28][29]
References
[edit]- ^ "רמזור חדש בת״א" [New traffic light in Tel Aviv] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. November 10, 1964 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "גשרי פלדה הונחו על נחל אילון" [Steel bridges were placed over the Ayalon River] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. May 26, 1966 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "רחובות חד־סיטריים בקריה וסביבתה" [One-way streets in Kirya and its surroundings] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. June 22, 1968 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "פרם: עושים לשיפור התחבורה במרחב ודא תוכנית נרחבת לשיפור עדת הדר" [Perm: An extensive plan is being made to improve transportation in the Vada area] (in Hebrew). Ma'ariv. July 6, 1971 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "בתוך 5 שנים יושקעו 100 מיליון לירות בכבישים חדשים" [Within 5 years, 100 million pounds will be invested in new roads] (in Hebrew). Ma'ariv. February 10, 1972 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "שינויים בסדרי!התנועה ברה' עיךדור בת"א ליד בית־ההולים הקריה" [Changes in traffic regulations in the Eichdor community in Tel Aviv near the Kirya synagogue] (in Hebrew). Davar. July 5, 1981 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "אושר פרויקט המשרדים הגדול ביותו בתל־אביב" [The large office project in Tel Aviv was approved] (in Hebrew). Hadashot. October 21, 1987 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "הגדול מכולם - פרויקט הבנייה הגדול בישראל, ההשקעה 200 מיליון דולר - מי יבנה אותו" [The Biggest of Them All - The Largest Construction Project in Israel, Investment $200 Million - Who Will Build It] (in Hebrew). Hadashot. December 30, 1988 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "פרו יי ק ט מרכז השלום יובא מחר לא ישורה של ע י ר י ת תל־אביב" [The Peace Center project will be brought to the Tel Aviv City Council tomorrow] (in Hebrew). Ma'ariv. October 19, 1987 – via National Library of Israel.
- ^ "50 מיליון דולר לעזריאלי, בלי טופס איכלוס (4)" [$50 million to Azrieli, without a settlement form (4)] (in Hebrew). Globes. July 15, 2001.
- ^ "אין מחלף - אין מגדל" [No interchange - No tower] (in Hebrew). Globes. May 5, 1999.
- ^ "בתוך 3 חודשים יוחלט על החלופה הנבחרת במחלף קפלן" [Within 3 months, a decision will be made on the chosen alternative at the Kaplan Interchange]. Globes. August 9, 1999.
- ^ "גודוביץ מציע תכנון חדש למחלף השלום בעלות של כ-100 מיליון דולר" [Godowitz proposes new design for the Peace Interchange at a cost of about $100 million] (in Hebrew). Globes. April 19, 1999.
- ^ "מחלף קפלן: משקיעים בשיקוע" [Kaplan Interchange: Investors in subsidence] (in Hebrew). Globes. February 14, 2000.
- ^ "פרויקט מחלף קפלן יסתיים בפברואר 2003" [The Kaplan Interchange project will be completed in February 2003] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. December 9, 2001.
- ^ "פותחים את מחלף קפלן" [Opening the Kaplan Interchange] (in Hebrew). Ynet. March 30, 2003.
- ^ "מחלף קפלן במזרח הקריה בת"א ייפתח הערב לתנועה" [The Kaplan Interchange in East Kirya in Tel Aviv will open to traffic tonight] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. March 31, 2003.
- ^ "מחלף קפלן בת"א ייפתח לתנועה ב-31 במארס" [The Kaplan Interchange in Tel Aviv will open to traffic on March 31st] (in Hebrew). Ha'aretz. January 11, 2003.
- ^ "מחלף קפלן נפתח: צפוי גידול ל-150 אלף מכוניות ביום" [Kaplan Interchange opens: expected increase to 150,000 cars per day] (in Hebrew). Globes. March 30, 2003.
- ^ "תושבי עוטף עזה חסמו את צומת עזריאלי בתל אביב" [Gaza Strip Residents Blocked Azrieli Junction in Tel Aviv] (in Hebrew). Ynet. November 15, 2018.
- ^ "מחאת העובדים הסוציאליים: צומת עזריאלי בת"א נחסם" [Social Workers' Protest: Azrieli Junction in Tel Aviv Blocked] (in Hebrew). Ynet. December 13, 2018.
- ^ "חסימה באיילון, הפגנות בכל הארץ: מחאת הלהט"ב יצאה לדרך" [Blockade on Ayalon, demonstrations throughout the country: LGBT protest launched] (in Hebrew). Ynet. July 22, 2018.
- ^ "מחאת "האפודים הצהובים": רק מאות הגיעו להפגין בת"א, צומת עזריאלי נחסם" ["Yellow Vest" protest: Only hundreds came to demonstrate in Tel Aviv, Azrieli intersection blocked] (in Hebrew). the Marker. December 22, 2018.
- ^ "השבוע ה-28 למחאה: הפגנות ברחבי הארץ, "יום ההתנגדות" נדחה לשלישי" [The 28th week of protest: demonstrations across the country, "Resistance Day" postponed to Tuesday] (in Hebrew). MAKO. July 15, 2023.
- ^ "יותר מ-100 אלף מפגינים בקפלן, שר המשפטים לשעבר דן מרידור: "יש סכנה של הרס וחורבן"" [More than 100,000 protesters in Kaplan, former Justice Minister Dan Meridor: "There is a danger of destruction and devastation"] (in Hebrew). Calcalist. July 15, 2023.
- ^ "הנוער של קפלן ונתב"ג נאבק על עצמאותו" [Kaplan's youth and Ben Gurion Airport fight for their independence] (in Hebrew). Zman Israel. July 15, 2023.
- ^ "צומת עזריאלי-קפלן - "כיכר הדמוקרטיה"" [Azrieli-Kaplan Intersection - "Democracy Square"] (in Hebrew). Tel Aviv Municipality. July 17, 2023.
- ^ "בעקבות ההפגנות: צומת עזריאלי - קפלן יקרא רשמית "כיכר הדמוקרטיה"" [Following the protests: Azrieli - Kaplan intersection will officially be called "Democracy Square"] (in Hebrew). Walla. July 17, 2023.
- ^ "עיריית תל אביב משנה את שמה של צומת קפלן ל"כיכר הדמוקרטיה"" [Tel Aviv Municipality Changes the Name of Kaplan Intersection to "Democracy Square"] (in Hebrew). TimeOut. July 17, 2023.