Tel Aviv [Israel], Israel's Ministry of Transportation on Tuesday fully opened the Ashdo North Interchange. The ministry said the interchange will provide an additional gateway to the city of Ashdod, while significantly reducing congestion on Route 41, which leads to Ashdod. It will also improve access to the port of Ashdod and Ashdod's industrial zone and serve the new neighborhood of Yavne in the east of the city. The new interchange is part of a project to upgrade access roads to Israel's ports, for which there is a budget. Of approximately 5 billion shekels (USD1.35 billion). The project, which has been approved by the National Planning and Construction Council, will connect the ports of Ashdod and the Logistics Park directly by road no. 4 (Israel's main north/south highway connecting Ashkelon t Haifa), via the Ashdod North Interchange The ministry said, "The opening of the Ashdod North Interchange marks a new chapter in transportation in the Ashdod region," and hopes that With an emphasis on economic development and quality of life for residents, there will be a positive impact on the entire region. In the future, the new Ashdod North Interchange will be connected to the Herzl Sea Road, connecting the interchange to Ashdod's ports. Allow truck traffic to pass from Highway 41 to the new road, which will significantly reduce truck traffic volume and leave more space for private vehicles and public transportation.