Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem is home to Israel's first bicycle tunnel
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's newest cycle tunnel, is opened as part an extensive cycle path that circles the capital.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban and its northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a mile from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was inaugurated at a formal ceremony on Thursday , attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem was a sought-after tourist destination due to its rich and fascinating past. Elkin declared that, in the present in addition to its historical treasures it also incorporates modern tourists. "The launch of the tunnel project [is] another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem. It transforms Jerusalem into an attractive destination for tourists of every kind of person in Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin, who heads the project in conjunction with Jerusalem Municipality said that his ministry invests millions of dollars in the city's tourism growth and the development of innovative activities and ventures that tie the glorious past of Jerusalem to the future. I would like to invite cyclists to ride a secure and modern-day route that takes the cyclist through Old Jerusalem.
About NIS 25 million was earmarked in the project. It was budgeted by the 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.
נווה פריצקי Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the dream of shifting the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "The new tunnel connecting to Jerusalem Ring Path will join existing paths for bicycles and those that will paved in its neighborhoods. It is intended to encourage cycling among its residents and promote the green transport revolution in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer its main sewer line towards Sorek's purification plant.
"The Kerem tunnel is a key tool to realize the dream of transforming Jerusalem's transport system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
Road construction, installation , and testing of electrical and safety systems are just a few of the ongoing works to ensure the tunnel is safe for all year.
The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreation areas, like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which has a Biblical zoo and aquarium and ancient natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.