A growing dispute has erupted between the Bnei Brak municipality and Israel Police over planned road closures surrounding the city during a series of major concerts by singer Omer Adam at nearby Ramat Gan Stadium.

City officials sent an urgent letter Tuesday to the commander of the Dan District Police, demanding that authorities find immediate transportation solutions rather than shutting down key access routes leading to the Soferim neighborhood.

The confrontation comes as tens of thousands of concertgoers are expected to arrive at the stadium each evening over the coming days. According to estimates, roughly 40,000 spectators are anticipated nightly, prompting police to implement extensive traffic-control measures throughout the area.

Under the traffic plan released by police, major roads surrounding the neighborhood will be subject to extensive closures during both the arrival and departure periods of the events.

According to the published guidelines, numerous thoroughfares will be closed between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., with additional restrictions imposed from 10:30 p.m. until midnight as crowds leave the stadium.

Among the roads expected to be affected are the Mivtza Kadesh Bridge, the Raul Wallenberg–Shitrit intersection, portions of Shitrit Street, the Em HaMoshavot corridor, and sections of Maccabim Street in Bnei Brak. Additional closures are planned at the Abuchatzira–Lehi intersection in Bnei Brak and along Ben-Gurion Boulevard in Ramat Gan.

Municipal officials argue that the closures would effectively sever the primary routes leading into the Soferim neighborhood, leaving hundreds of local families with severely limited access to their homes.

Residents have expressed particular frustration because the transportation difficulties come just days after the inauguration of a new bridge that was intended to prevent exactly this type of disruption.

The recently completed bridge, which connects Derech Em HaMoshavot with Rechov Lehi in Bnei Brak, was designed to provide a direct transportation link for the Soferim neighborhood and ease congestion during large events at the stadium.

However, despite the public dedication ceremony and official announcements surrounding the project, the bridge has not yet been opened for regular vehicular traffic due to unresolved issues involving outside agencies.

As a result, residents remain dependent on the older roads that are now scheduled to be closed, adding to growing frustration throughout the neighborhood.

Municipality: ‘We Stand Shoulder to Shoulder With Residents’

Bnei Brak officials issued a forceful statement backing the residents’ complaints and insisting that alternative arrangements must be found.

“The municipality stands shoulder to shoulder with the residents in their justified struggle,” city officials said.

“We are working intensively with all relevant authorities to bring about the full and immediate opening of the new bridge as quickly as possible, and we will not accept road closures that harm the quality of life of Bnei Brak residents and turn them into hostages.”

The dispute highlights the increasing tension between the logistical and security requirements involved in managing a massive public event and the needs of local residents seeking normal access to their homes.

Attention is now focused on whether police and transportation officials will develop an alternative traffic plan that can accommodate the large crowds expected at the concerts while minimizing disruption to residents of the Soferim neighborhood.

{Matzav.com}