News Brief No. 1; July 8, 1998

 

The three decades of Israeli occupation in Bethlehem saw almost no repair, upkeep, or modernization of the most basic infrastructure. A District with over 150,000 inhabitants, Bethlehem urgently needs to upgrade, develop, and maintain its utility networks. In order to improve the quality of life for the local population and service the needs of the over two million pilgrims and tourists expected to visit Bethlehem in the Year 2000, an adequate supply of goods and services is being readied. The resulting upgraded infrastructure will also create a conducive environment for economic growth, development, and job creation. Infrastructure networks will help transform the Bethlehem region into a tourist destination appealing to visitors with a wide range of interests. 

 

The Bethlehem 2000 Project Authority thanks
The United Nations Development Programme/ Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People - UNDP / PAPP  Jerusalem for making the publication of this Information Kit possible 

 

The Bethlehem 2000 Project is Addressing the Needs of the Districts'
Infrastructure:
Water and Sanitation
Electrical Power Supply and Distribution
Solid Waste
Traffic and Transportation
- Six projects, including the upgrading of a dilapidated water distribution network, a water reservoir, the building of a sewage network and a sewage treatment plant are upgrading existing water infrastructure. Inadequate systems for waste water collection and degradation of the environment are largely due to a lack of a waste water treatment plant. The projects designed to upgrade and upkeep the water network in the Bethlehem District are expected to cost US$23.25 million. 
- Fifteen projects addressing the need to upgrade the electricity system of the District are underway. Overloaded frail lines, insufficient capacity leading to a large voltage drop, interruption and poor reliability of power supply are being addressed through these projects which will upgrade and modernise the Electrical Power Supply System. The projects designed to modernise the system are expected to cost between US$ 12-17 million.
- Five projects including a pilot waste management project, a land fill project and the acquisition of needed equipment and management workshops are addressing Bethlehem's need to modernise this public service sector. The projects are estimated to cost US$ 5 - 5.2 million.
- Eleven highway and transportation projects, which include extensive road repair, the establishment of pedestrian walk ways, parking lots, and an upgrade of a street sign system are underway to improve living conditions for the people of the District, tourists, and pilgrims. The projects are estimated to cost US$60.5 million.

 

 

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