Israel PM has indicated that it was considering constructing a railway from Eilat to Tel Aviv that could serve as a cargo link between Asia and Europe. The project, which in a 2007 government evaluation was priced at USD2.3 billion, would include two tracks – one for passenger trains and the other for rail freight. Such a link could serve as a means of transporting goods to Europe without having to go through the Suez Canal. Cargo unloaded in Eilat would then be sent by rail to Israeli ports and from there to Europe. And linking Red Sea and Mediterranean ports means the line could handle potential overflow from the Suez Canal.