Neve Paritzki Jerusalem opens the first Israelwide cycling tunnel

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The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first cycle tunnel, was inaugurated as part of Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.

The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban, and the northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem, about one kilometer away from the Kerem junction.



The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened at a formal ceremony on Thursday , attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov and hundreds of cyclists.

Jerusalem was a desirable tourist destination because of its rich and fascinating history. Elkin added that in addition to its historical treasures, modern tourism is also included in the city of Jerusalem. "The opening of this tunnel is another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem's city Jerusalem and its transformation into an attractive tourist destination for all kinds of people in Israel as well as around the world."

נווה פריצקי Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop the tourism industry in Jerusalem and also in the development of new attractions and ventures that connect the rich history of our capital city's eternal past to its future... I encourage you to take your bicycles on a scenic maintained, well-maintained path that looks out over Old Jerusalem.

A total of NIS 25 million was invested in the project, financed by the Elkin's Ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, as well as the work done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the idea to change the concept of transportation in Jerusalem," Elkin said. "The tunnel, which will connect to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle routes in the city as well as the ones that will be laid in its various neighborhoods, with the aim of encouraging cycling among its residents and its visitors, and also promoting the green transportation revolution in the capital city."

The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer the main sewer line toward Sorek's purification plant.

"The Kerem Tunnel Project is an important tool in realizing the dream of changing the transportation concept all over Jerusalem. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

The current works include road construction, the installation of blowers and advanced security and electrical systems in order to ensure that the tunnel is secure for people to walk through all year round.

Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreational areas, like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which has a Biblical aquarium and zoo and also the historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.