Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)The first tunnel for cycling in Israel is inaugurated in Jerusalem
The Kerem Tunnel is a great spot to hike and ride.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bike tunnel, opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle route is located around Jerusalem.
The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is just half a kilometer away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.
The opening ceremony of the tunnel, which is 2.1 kilometers long took place in Jerusalem and the Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion and Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman of the company) along with hundreds of cyclists.
The city's rich history was a reason why it was an extremely popular tourist spot in the past. Elkin stated that today, in addition to its rich history, the tunnel project also includes modern tourism. "The opening of this tunnel project [is] another part in the development Jerusalem. It transforms Jerusalem into an attractive destination for tourists of every kind of person throughout Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin who's ministry responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry has invested thousands of shekels each year in Jerusalem's tourist development and in the development of new activities and ventures that connect the stunning historical past with the exciting the future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to join us and take a ride along an up-to-date and well-maintained cycling route that takes in the unique scenery of Old Jerusalem."
The project was financed by Elkin's ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry. נווה פריצקי It also included budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool for achieving the vision to change the way of thinking and transport throughout Jerusalem. Elkin said that the new tunnel will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path and will link with existing bike paths. It will also be paved in the various neighborhoods. It will also help cyclists and promote green transport in Jerusalem.
The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 1990s to create an important sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.
"The Kerem tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the dream of changing the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
Construction of roads installation, blowers, modern safety systems and electrical wiring are all part and parcel of the present works. The tunnel is safe for the people to use all entire year.
You can also access the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation spots, including Ein Kerem, the Biblical zoo, aquarium and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.