The end of the "Square of Tears": The great nightmare of driving tests has come to an end

Kugel Square in Holon, which for years was called the "Square of Tears" and became a nightmare for drivers and those taking driving tests, has become a signalized intersection as part of the Green Line light rail works. The square was for years one of the symbols associated with the area and a point that struck terror into driving students who were required to deal with merging into traffic. The change sparked many reactions online: "The Square of Tears is dead, long live the traffic light intersection," and "The Square of Tears has become the Square of Lights."

As mentioned, the unique nickname stems from the square's proximity to the licensing office in Holon. It was a permanent part of the practical driving test route for residents of Gush Dan. The square was particularly large and complex — a three-lane roundabout with heavy traffic loads. Many driving students failed there due to the difficulty of entering, exiting, and changing lanes, and therefore it became a symbol of frustration. Over the years, attempts were made to improve it, but this only worsened the congestion.

Mayor of Holon, Shai Keinan, addressed the change on his Facebook account:

"Holon residents, Ha-Lohamim Square, the tears, the frustration, and what not — are no longer with us. Holon is renewing itself and parting with the square that was effectively the largest roundabout in Israel in terms of lanes and constituted a busy axis with thousands of vehicles every day."

According to him, over the years various attempts were made to regulate the flow of traffic in the square and improve its safety, but these were unsuccessful and even caused the traffic congestion to worsen. "The Green Line of the light rail crosses the square from north to south, and due to the completion of the works in the area, the square was abolished and turned into a signalized intersection — safer and more convenient for all of us," he concluded.