Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem is home to Israel's first bicycle tunnel
The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique ride and hiking experience which is enjoyed by all.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bicycle tunnel, was opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.
נווה פריצקי The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban and its northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a mile close to the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was officially inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister ZeevElkin. It was also attended by Mayor Moshelion, Avi Balehnikov, Gihon Water Company chairman, as well as thousands of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once popular tourist destination because of its historical past. Elkin declared that, in the present, apart from its historic treasures, it is also a destination for modern-day tourists. "The inauguration of this tunnel project [is] another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem. The tunnel makes Jerusalem an attractive destination for tourists of all types of audience in Israel, and worldwide."
Elkin the minister whose ministry as well as the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds to millions of shekels annually in the development all aspects Jerusalem's tourists and in the development and operation of exciting attractions, ventures and attractions that connect the glorious history of our eternal city to its future". I encourage cyclists to come and enjoy an up-to-date and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special nature of Old Jerusalem."
About NIS 25 million were put into in the project, financed 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.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the vision to alter the notion of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin said. "The new tunnel, which connects to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle pathways in the city, as well as the ones that will be laid in the 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, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer the main sewer line toward the Sorek purification plant.
"The Kerem Tunnel Project is essential to realize the goal to change the way transportation is thought of across Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
The works currently underway include road construction, the installation of blowers as well as modern electrical and safety systems, to ensure the tunnel is safe for people to walk through throughout the year.
Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical zoo and aquarium as well as ancient natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.