CONTINUED ROAD WORK AT E-1; WATER AND SEWAGE

S E C R E T JERUSALEM 001806 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2017 TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS KDEM SUBJECT: CONTINUED ROAD WORK AT E-1; WATER AND SEWAGE INSTALLATION Classified By: Classified by Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: PolOff observed August 24 that construction work continues in the E-1 area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem, and that the parking lot of the police station building is near complete. The route of the road changed slightly leading to the police station since ConGen last visited the site July 2. PolOff also observed that sewage and water systems for the police station are being installed. (Note: Photos emailed to NEA/IPA. End Note.) End Summary. POLICE STATION NEARING COMPLETION -------------- ¶2. (C) On an August 24 visit, PolOff observed that the parking lot in front of the police station building at E-1, the area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, is nearly complete. Parking lot traffic islands, lamps and walkways have been installed, and the small building at the police compound entrance is nearly complete. The fence around the police station also appears complete. PolOff visited the interior of the building and noted that the walls are mostly complete and the floors are tiled. Light fixtures, switchplates and doors are still missing. PolOff observed no change in the area that a local foreman has said will be for housing. CONTINUED WORK ON ROADWAYS -------------- ¶3. (C) PolOff observed continued work on the main road climbing up to the police station. The road is unpaved, but the dirt roadway is divided into two levels, possibly indicating two separate lanes of traffic. The route of the road has been altered since PolOff's last visit on July 2, and vehicles must now drive around an additional hilltop before arriving at the police station. The road network does not appear to have been extended since PolOff's last visit. ONGOING WATER AND SEWAGE SYSTEM INSTALLATION -------------- ¶4. (C) Trenches have been dug from the top of the hill leading down along the roadside, and water and sewage systems are being installed. Cement pipes roughly three to four feet in diameter and red pipes roughly two feet in diameter are being laid underground starting at the police station, leading down the hill. Cement pipes that will eventually serve as manholes protrude from the dirt every ten or fifteen meters. The route of the cement pipes, probably intended for sewage, drops steeply off the hill not far from the police station. The route of the smaller pipes continues down the hill following the road, although the pipes have not been laid or covered. (Note: PolOff observed that the sewage and water systems are routed toward the police station and appear to be intended to serve the police station. PolOff could not gauge whether the water and sewage capacity was more than would be needed for the police station alone.) DUFFY