Neve ParitzkiJerusalems first cycling tunnel opened in Israel
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel is the first bike tunnel in Israel and was officially opened in the year 2000 as a part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around Jerusalem, the capital city.
The tunnel links the paths between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The tunnel's southern entrance can be found within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. While the northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half a km away from the Kerem junction.
Inauguration of the tunnel which measures 2.1 kilometers long was held in Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion and Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) as well as a plethora of cyclists.
"In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city due to its glorious past. https://www.israelhayom.co.il/mumlazim/article/13057097 Nowadays, aside from its historical treasures the city also offers modern tourism," Elkin said. "The inauguration of [this] tunnel project is a further part of the expansion of Jerusalem as a city. https://www.themarker.com/labels/2022-09-12/ty-article-labels/00000183-31c8-d6c9-a197-79cd96360000 Jerusalem and its transformation into a desirable tourist city for all types of audiences in Israel and around the world."
Elkin's ministry, which was also in charge of the project together in conjunction with Jerusalem Municipality, declared that his ministry "invests hundreds and millions of shekels each year in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism and in creating new ventures and attractions that link the amazing historical time of our capital city and its future." https://www.facebook.com/neveparitzki נווה פריצקי I encourage you to take your bicycles on a scenic maintained, well-maintained path that looks out over Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality, and the Gihon Corporation all contributed to the project. The Jerusalem Development Authority completed the project.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the goal to alter the notion of transportation in Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. https://saloona.co.il/blog/%D7%90%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%A7%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%95%D7%94-%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%A6%D7%A7%D7%99/ Elkin said that the new tunnel connects to the Jerusalem Ring Path and will link with existing bike paths. It will also be made paved in the various areas. This will help cyclists and promote green transportation in the capital.
The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s to relocate its main sewer line towards Sorek's purification plant.
https://www.news1.co.il/ShowArticles.aspx?docId=459025&subjectId=42&ShowAll=True נווה פריצקי "The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool to realize the goal of changing Jerusalem's transportation model. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
In order to make the tunnel accessible to the public all year round, the works include road construction, as well as installing blowers.
The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation spots such as the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium along with the historic natural springs of Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh. נווה פריצקי
