Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem The First Cycling Tunnel in Israel Tunnel opens
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first bicycle tunnel in Israel was opened in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around the capital city.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. The tunnel's southern entrance can be found in Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer away from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister ZeevElkin. The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Moshelion Avi Balehnikov, Gihon Water Company chairman, as well as thousands of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once sought-after tourist destination due to its historic past. Elkin said that today, apart from its historical treasures it is also home to modern-day travelers. "The launch (of this tunnel project) is a further step in the development of Jerusalem and its transformation into a desirable tourist destination for all kinds of audiences throughout Israel as well as across the globe."
The ministry of Elkin, which also headed the project in conjunction with Jerusalem Municipality, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds and millions of shekels every year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism, and also in the creation of new ventures and attractions that link the amazing historical time of our capital city with the future." I invite you to ride your bicycles along a beautiful maintained, well-maintained path that looks out over Old Jerusalem.
The project was funded by Elkin's ministry and the Tourism Ministry. It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The project was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin declared that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the dream of altering the way of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "The tunnel, which is connected to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing bike routes in the city as well as those that are paved in the various neighborhoods with the aim of encouraging cycling among its residents and its visitors, and also in promoting the green revolution in transportation in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the late 1990s to relocate the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant in Sorek The Sorek Tunnel is located west of the city and is currently being used as an infrastructure tunnel. It also includes the fifth water line, which connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool for achieving the vision of transforming Jerusalem's transportation model. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
To make the tunnel usable to the general public throughout the year the work includes road construction as well as the installing blowers.
נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to numerous places to relax, including Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium as well historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.