Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem's first cycling tunnel opened in Israel
The Kerem Tunnel offers a unique adventure in hiking and riding for the benefit of
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's newest cycle tunnel, is opened as part an extensive cycle path that is a loop around the capital.
The tunnel runs along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza path. Its southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban and its northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a kilometer from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister ZeevElkin. It was also attended by Mayor Moshelion, Avi Balehnikov Gihon Water Company Chairman, and thousands of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction due to its rich past. Elkin explained that nowadays, in addition to its historical treasures the tunnel project incorporates modern-day tourism. "The opening of the tunnel project is another aspect of the development Jerusalem and its transformation to an attractive tourist destination for everyone across Israel as well as around the world.
נווה פריצקי Elkin is the project's director. project together with Jerusalem Municipality said that his ministry invests hundreds of millions in the city's tourism growth and also in the development of new attractions and ventures that link the glory historical past of Jerusalem to the future. I encourage the cycling community to take a relaxing and modern-day route that takes the cyclist through Old Jerusalem.
The project was financed by the Elkin's department and the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was completed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the dream of altering the way of transport throughout Jerusalem. Elkin explained that the proposed tunnel connects with the Jerusalem Ring Path and will connect with existing bike paths. It will also be paved throughout its various neighborhoods. This will increase cycling and encourage green transportation in the capital.
The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in 1990 in order to transfer the main sewers of Gihon Corporation towards the Sorek purification facility. This plant is west of Sorek and is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel.
"The Kerem tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the goal of changing the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León
Road construction installation, blowers, sophisticated security systems and electrical wiring are all part of the current works. The tunnel is safe for the people to use all year.
The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to special recreation areas such as the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium and the historical natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.