In 1993-94, two IAA teams surveyed the proposed route of the Trans-Israel Highway (Route 6). The northern team, headed by Mordechai Haiman and the southern team by Yehuda Dagan (Hadashot Arkheologiyot 103:106-7), covered an area of 86 kms in length by 100 meters width. One hundred fifty one archaeological sites were documented. The survey began in the area between Iron Junction, advanced southward to Moshav Yad Binyamin, and then northward to Elyakim (Mordechai Haiman and others), and on to Somekh Junction (Eli Yannai, Sigal Golan and Morad Taber). This team documented some 30 new sites. Another team, headed by Alon Shavit surveyed, in 1995, the southern part of the route, from Moshav Yad Binyamin to Bet Kamah Junction.

Rescue excavations along the proposed route began in 1994 and continue until today.

The Antiquities Authority issued 110 excavation licenses to 62 archaeologists. One hundred three ancient sites were excavated, some more than once.

The excavations were divided amongst a number of research institutes:
Israel Antiquities Authority: 82 sites = 79.6%
Tel Aviv University: 10 sites = 9.7%
Ben Gurion University: 8 sites = 7.8%
Haifa University: 3 sites = 2.9%
Excavations uncovered twenty-two multi-level settlement sites (tels).
A study of the excavation maps show settlement density at the base of the Samarian Hills. Density decreases the further Route 6 gets from the Samarian Hills toward alluvial soil.