Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem The First Cycling Tunnel in Israel Tunnel opens
The Kerem Tunnel offers an unforgettable riding and hiking experience to the advantage of
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bicycle tunnel, was opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.
It links Nahal Refaim to Emek Motza. The southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entrance, Nahal Ein Kerem, is approximately half a mile away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was inaugurated on Thursday, by Jerusalem and the heritage minister Ze'evElkin and Mayor Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon Chairman of Gihon as well as a multitude of cyclists also attended.
The city's rich history was a reason that it was a popular tourist attraction in the past. Elkin said that, nowadays, in addition to its historic treasures the tunnel project includes modern tourism. "The opening (of [this] tunnel project is an additional part of the growth of Jerusalem as well as it's transformation into a sought-after tourist destination for all kinds of visitors across Israel as well as across the world."
Elkin, whose ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, stated that the Jerusalem Municipality's ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels annually in the development all aspects Jerusalem's tourists and in the creation and operation of new tourist attractions, ventures, and activities that connect the glorious history of Jerusalem to the future". I invite cyclists to enjoy a well-maintained, modern cycle route, which overlooks the stunning scenery of Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministerial, 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 stated that the Kerem Tunnel project was a key tool in realizing the vision of shifting the idea of transport throughout Jerusalem. "The new 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 its various neighborhoods, in the hope of encouraging cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors, and also promoting the green revolution of transportation in the capital city."
The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 90s to move the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.
נווה פריצקי "The Kerem tunnel project is central to realizing the vision for changing Jerusalem's transport system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
To make the tunnel usable to the public year-round The works comprise road construction and installation of blowers.
The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreational areas, for instance Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical aquarium and zoo and also the ancient natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.