The Emek Hamayanot Regional Council has published tenders for the construction of a new bridge across the Jordan River, the Ministry for Regional Cooperation announced this week. The bridge – part of the Jordan Gateway project — will connect Israeli and Jordanian industrial zones.

“The Jordan Gate project is one of the most important in the relations between Israel-Jordan and will greatly contribute to improving the relations between the two peoples,” said Deputy Minister for Regional Cooperation MK Ayoub Kara.

Kara said the bridge development could improve ties between Israel and Jordan.

“I am happy that the tenders are published specifically at this period, as it is proof that the peace between Israel and Jordan is stronger than any extremists who are trying to drive a wedge between the countries and damage our joint attempts to bring a better future to the peoples of the area.”

The Jordan Gateway project bridge will be the fourth crossing point between the two countries – there are already crossings in Aqaba/Eilat, Irbid/Beit She’an, and near Jericho.

The new bridge will be used for factories on either side to host the other, and will be used as a base for transferring goods from port to port. The new crossing will not be open to the public but rather for authorized personnel and visitors only.