Neve Paritzki Israels first cycling tunnel is inaugurated in Jerusalem
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bike tunnel, opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycling route surrounds Jerusalem.
The tunnel links the paths between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The tunnel's southern entrance is below Ein Laban in Refaim Park. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was officially inaugurated 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.
"In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist destination due to its rich past. Elkin stated that the present as well as its rich history, the tunnel project also incorporates modern-day tourism. "The launch of the tunnel project is another milestone in the advancement of Jerusalem as an ideal tourism destination for all kinds of travelers from Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the improvement of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and in the creation of innovative tourist attractions and ventures that link the rich history of our eternal capital to its future... I invite you to ride your bicycles along a stunning and well-maintained road that overlooks Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25 million to the project. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said, "The Kerem Tunnel project will be the central tool for achieving our dream to change the way transportation is conducted in Jerusalem." "The tunnel, which connects to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will join existing bike paths in the city and those that are paved in its various neighborhoods, to encourage cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors and promoting the green revolution of transportation 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 crucial to realize the vision for changing Jerusalem's transportation system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
Construction of roads, the installation and testing of electrical and safety systems are some of the ongoing works to ensure that the tunnel is secure throughout the year.
The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to exclusive recreation areas like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical zoo and aquarium and historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.
