The Israeli government is planning to expand the country’s railway network by around 800 km up to 2040. This also includes schemes to increase capacity as well as the electrification of the network. The projects include a new 125 km double-track line running parallel to and west of Highway 6 from Kiryat Gat to beyond Yokne'am east of Afula on the Valley line, and a 250 km rail freight transport line from the Mediterranean port of Ashdod running south to Eilat on the Gulf of Aqaba.