The Malakhi Junction (), also known as Qastina () for the Palestinian village which once stood there, is a major road junction in Israel, between Highway 40 and 3. It is located on the 37th kilometer of Highway 3.

Like most junctions in Israel, it serves as a major transportation hub and has a trempiada, or hitchhiking stand. Due to its proximity to Kiryat Malakhi, it is also sometimes considered Kiryat Malakhi's central bus station, operated by the Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. In that capacity however, it has been often criticized, to the point that Ynet uses a photo of the bus stations in Qastina as a stock photo for public transportation critiques. In a March 2007 survey, Ynet gave Qastina a 0/10 rating (the lowest) out of 11 bus station checked nationwide. On March 1, 2008, the Israeli Channel 2 ran a similar survey, ranking Qastina lowest, with 0/3 on its three main criteria.

In addition, the junction is a common stop for Israelis traveling between the north/center of the country (Haifa, Tel Aviv) to the south (Beersheba, Eilat), a fact that helps maintain several fast food and other small stores. The junction has a Better Place battery replacement station.

During the October 2000 protests, Palestinian citizens burned tires and threw rocks at passing buses at the junction.

Bus lines

Following is a list of bus lines which stop in the junction's terminal. LineRouteViaCompany31Kiryat Malakhi - Ashkelon CBSAshkelon Railway StationEgged140Kiryat Malakhi – Ashdod CBSBeer Tuvia regional councilAfikim141Kiryat Malakhi – Ashdod CBSBeer Tuvia regional councilAfikim142Kiryat Malakhi – Ashdod CBSAzrikamAfikim301Tel Aviv CBS – Ashkelon CBSRishon LeZion old CBS, Rehovot CBS, Gedera CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSEgged310Tel Aviv CBS – Ashkelon CBSYavne CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSEgged348Ashdod CBS – Beersheba CBSMalakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSMetropoline367Rishon LeZion CBS – Beersheba CBSRehovot CBS, Gedera CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSMetropoline369Tel Aviv CBS – Beersheba CBSYavne CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSMetropoline371Rishon LeZion CBS – Beersheba CBSRehovot CBS, Gedera CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSMetropoline376Kiryat Malakhi – Tze'elimGedera CBS, Malakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBS, OfakimDan BaDarom390Tel Aviv CBS - Eilat CBSMalakhi JunctionEgged393Tel Aviv CBS – Eilat CBSRishon LeZion CBS, Rehovot CBS, Gedera CBS, Malakhi Junction, Beersheba CBS, Dimona CBSEgged437Jerusalem CBS – Ashkelon CBSMalakhi JunctionEgged443Jerusalem CBS – NetivotMalakhi Junction, SderotEgged446Jerusalem CBS – Beersheba CBSMalakhi Junction, Kiryat Gat CBSEgged449Ofakim – Jerusalem CBS1 2Kiryat Gat CBS – Malakhi JunctionEgged991Eilat CBS – Haifa Hof HaCarmel CBS1Netanya CBS, Hadera CBSEgged 1 – stops in the terminal in one direction only 2 – Sundays only

Road accidents In the beginning of 2010, Ayelet Malko suffered fatal injuries after being run over while crossing the junction. This contributed to a decision to build a pedestrian bridge in the area, which was planned to have been completed by the end of 2010.

Plans The National Roads Company of Israel approved 500 million NIS to upgrade the junction to an interchange.

See also Transportation in Israel

References