Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Israel's first cycling tunnel opens in Jerusalem
The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique riding experience and hiking experience that is to be enjoyed by all.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bike tunnel, opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.
The tunnel runs along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza route. The tunnel's southern entry point can be found within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer from the Kerem junction.
נווה פריצקי The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was officially inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin. It was also attended by Mayor Moshelion, Avi Balehnikov Gihon Water Company chairman, and hundreds of cyclists.
"In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city due to its rich past. Elkin said that, today, in addition to its historical treasures the tunnel project includes modern tourism. "The inauguration [of] this tunnel project is another milestone in the advancement of Jerusalem as a tourist destination for all kinds of tourists throughout Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, explained that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop Jerusalem's tourism in all its aspects and in the creation of exciting activities and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our eternal capital to its future... I invite you to ride your bicycles along a beautiful and well-maintained road that overlooks Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry Elkin's Ministry Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation all contributed to the project. The Jerusalem Development Authority completed the project.
Elkin said the fact that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is the central instrument to achieve the goal to transform the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem." "The tunnel, which will connect to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing bike routes in the city as well as those that will be paved in the various neighborhoods with the aim of encouraging cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors as well as 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 It is situated west of the city and is used today as an infrastructure tunnel. It includes the fifth water line, which connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the goal of changing the way of transport in Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
The current works include road construction, the installation of blowers as well as modern safety and electrical systems in order to ensure that the tunnel is secure for the public to pass through at all times of the year.
The Kerem Tunnel provides access to unique recreation locations, including Ein Kerem neighbourhood, the biblical aquarium and zoo , as also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh, Ein Laban, and Ein Haniyeh.