Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem's first cycling tunnel inaugurated in Israel
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a the most unique riding and hiking experience.
The Kerem Tunnel is the first bicycle tunnel in Israel and was inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around the capital.
The tunnel is located through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza path. It is located in southern Israel located in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.
The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was officially opened on Thursday, by Jerusalem and heritage minister Ze'ev Elkin and Moshe Lion, the Mayor. Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon Chairman of Gihon and a plethora of other cyclists were also present.
Jerusalem's rich past was the main reason that it was a popular tourist attraction in the past. Elkin stated that today along with its rich history the tunnel construction project encompasses modern day tourism. "The opening of this tunnel project [is] another part in the development Jerusalem. The tunnel makes Jerusalem an attractive tourist place for any kind of crowd within Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin his ministry, which together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop the tourism industry in Jerusalem and in the creation of exciting tourist attractions and ventures that link the glorious historical past of our capital city's eternal past to its future... I encourage cyclists to come and enjoy a modern and well-maintained cycling route that offers a view of the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem."
The project was funded by Elkin's ministry and the Tourism Ministry. נווה פריצקי It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The project was done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin stated the fact that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is an essential tool for achieving the dream to change the way we think about transportation throughout Jerusalem." "The new tunnel, which will connect to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join existing bike routes in the city as well as those that are paved in the various neighborhoods to encourage cycling among its residents and its visitors, and also promoting the green revolution of transportation in the capital city."
The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in the year 1990 to relocate the main sewer of Gihon Corporation towards the Sorek purification facility. This plant is west of Sorek and is still used as an infrastructure tunnel.
"The Kerem tunnel project is crucial to realize the vision for changing Jerusalem's transportation system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
Road construction, installation, blowers, modern safety systems and electrical wiring are all part of the present construction. The tunnel is safe for the people to use all year.
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.