Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem: Israel's First Cycling Tunnel opens
Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel offers a unique trail and riding experience to the benefit of
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bicycle tunnel, was opened as part of Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycling route surrounds Jerusalem.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. It has a southern entrance in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened during a celebration on Thursday , attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'evElkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once a sought-after tourist destination due to its historic past. Elkin said that apart from its historic treasures, modern tourism is also included in the city of Jerusalem. "The opening of this tunnel project is a different part in the development Jerusalem. It transforms Jerusalem into an attractive tourist place for any kind of crowd within Israel, and worldwide."
Elkin who, along with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the development of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and the development of new attractions and ventures that connect the fascinating history of our capital city's eternal past to the future of Jerusalem... I encourage the cycling community to take a relaxing and modern route that takes you through Old Jerusalem.
Around NIS 25 million were earmarked in the project, budgeted by Elkin's ministry The Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, as well as the work done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is an essential tool for achieving the dream to redefine the idea of transport in Jerusalem." "The new tunnel, which is connected to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing bike pathways in the city, as well as those that will be paved throughout the city's neighborhoods to encourage cycling among its residents and its visitors as well as promoting the green revolution in transportation in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in the year 1990 to relocate the main sewer of Gihon Corporation towards the Sorek purification facility. This plant is west of Sorek and is still used as an infrastructure tunnel.
"The Kerem tunnel project is crucial to realize the goal of changing Jerusalem's transport system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
Road construction installation, blowers, advanced safety systems , and electrical wiring are all part of the current construction. The tunnel will be safe for the public to use throughout the season.
https://nevefrietzki.co.il/ The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation spots - including the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium, along with the historic natural springs of Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.