Renovation work on the Mughrabi Bridge at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City began on Sunday, according to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which is responsible for the site. The temporary construction has been deemed by experts to be at risk of collapse.
The project will take several days, the authority said, and part of the women’s prayer section—where the bridge is located—will be closed off.
The engineer submitted his urgent recommendation in May that although the bridge—providing sole access for police, Israelis and tourists visiting the Temple Mount—is due to be replaced by September, it really should be immediately torn down due to the danger of imminent collapse.
In the meantime, in response to the engineer’s report, the state said it would replace the wooden beams that are in bad shape.
The move drew criticism from many. Former Jerusalem City Council member Mina Fenton called the decision to only replace the wooden beams “a crime.” She pointed out that construction works would not finish in time for the September deadlines, and thus, the lives of women who visit the Western Wall Plaza will continue to be at risk.
Ariel Kahana and Hanan Greenwood contributed to this report.
This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.