Neve ParitzkiIsrael's first cycling tunnel is inaugurated in Jerusalem
The Kerem Tunnel is a great spot to hike and ride.
The Kerem Tunnel is the first bike tunnel in Israel and was opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around the capital.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entrance, Nahal Ein Kerem, is about half a kilometer away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened in a 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 glorious past. In the present, in addition to its historical treasures the city also offers modern tourism," Elkin said. נווה פריצקי "The inauguration [of] this tunnel project is another stage in the growth of Jerusalem as an ideal tourist destination for all kinds of tourists from Israel and around the globe."
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, explained that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the development of Jerusalem's tourism in all its aspects and in the creation of new activities and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city's eternal past to the future of Jerusalem... I encourage cyclists to come and enjoy a modern and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special nature of Old Jerusalem."
The project was funded by Elkin's ministry and the Tourism Ministry. https://www.makorrishon.co.il/mumlazim/523585/ It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was completed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
https://www.news1.co.il/ShowArticles.aspx?docId=156564&subjectId=26&ShowAll=True Elkin stressed, "The Kerem Tunnel project will be the central tool for realizing our vision to change the concept transportation throughout Jerusalem." נווה פריצקי "The tunnel is set to connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will connect with the various cycling routes that exist within the city. These will be paved within the diverse neighborhoods. The goal is to encourage cycling among residents of Jerusalem.
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the late 1990s to relocate the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek, which is located west of the city and is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It also includes the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the dream of changing the way of transport in Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
Present work includes road construction, installation blowers, as well as advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure to use throughout the year.
There is also the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem, the Biblical Zoo, aquarium, and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.