Draft:Route 367 (Israel)

Route 367 is a 17km east-west Israeli road linking the Shfela region to Gush Etzion. The road features rapid elevation changes and scenic views as it climbs up the Judean mountain range and crosses its watershed.

Route

The route begins at a roundabout with Route 375 (Etsyona Junction) on the outskirts of Ramat Beit Shemesh. At the moshav of Neve Michael, the route turns as it approaches the Crossing of the 35 (מעבר הל"ה) checkpoint, thereby entering Judea and Samaria. The route then sharply winds and ascends, intersecting with Route 3676 at a hairpin turn providing access to Gva'ot. After ascending further, the road reaches an elevation of over 900m as it approaches a roundabout providing access to Bat Ayin and Kfar Etzion. The route passes by the Gush Etzion Regional Council offices, passing through another roundabout that allows access to Alon Shvut and Rosh Tzurim via Route 3510. At this point, at just under 1000m elevation, the route crosses the watershed line between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. A traffic signal allows access to the Gush Etzion Junction shopping area, before its final intersection at a traffic signal with Highway 60 (Gush Etzion Junction). The route is one lane in each direction throughout its length, widening slightly as it approaches Gush Etzion Junction.

As the road is open to green licence plates in Judea and Samaria, several sniper booths were built next to bus stops due to security risks, and bollards were placed next to bus stops to prevent ramming attacks.

From the western terminus, the road is signed for Gush Etzion. In Gush Etzion itself, the road is signed for Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem (via Highway 60). The speed limit is 60-80km/h.

History

Modern day Route 367 parallels an historic convoy route that used to supply the Gush Etzion area with supplies during the 1948 Independence War after Gush Etzion was critically attacked. Close to its western terminus, the route passes nearby to the location of the Ha-Lamed Heh massacre. From 1948-1967, most of where Route 367 lies was under Jordanian control, until it was recaptured in the Six Day War and access was allowed for Israelis once more. The settlements of Gush Etzion were shortly after rebuilt following their destruction in 1948, and many of them are linked by Route 367.

Next to Alon Shvut, the 2014 Gush Etzion kidnapping and murder took place at a bus stop along the road. A memorial for the 3 who were murdered currently stands next to Alon Shvut Junction. Several terrorist attacks have taken place at Gush Etzion Junction, and as a result there is often military presence in the area.

Climate

At higher elevations, the route is sometimes susceptible to snowfall. During the 2013 Middle East cold snap, the road was buried under 100cm of snow near Kfar Etzion.

Transit

Several bus lines serve Route 367, including lines 409, 410, 361, 362, 371, and 372.

References