Neve ParitzkiJerusalem Israels First Cycling Tunnel opens

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The Kerem Tunnel allows for a the most unique riding and hiking experience.

The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles the capital city.



The tunnel connects the path between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. נווה פריצקי The tunnel's southern entrance can be found in Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer away from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened at a formal ceremony on Thursday , attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'evElkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov as well as hundreds of cyclists.

https://jerusalem.mynet.co.il/good_to_know/article/hjnaame11i Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction due to its rich past. https://rishon.mynet.co.il/good_to_know/article/bywhg4vbo Elkin added that in addition to its rich history and modern amenities, tourism has also been incorporated into the Jerusalem city. "The opening (of the tunnel) is an additional part of the development of Jerusalem, and the transformation of Jerusalem into a popular tourist city for all sorts of people across Israel as well as around the world."

נווה פריצקי Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, explained that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the improvement of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and also in the development of exciting attractions and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city's eternal past to the future of Jerusalem... I encourage you to take your bicycles along a beautiful, well-maintained route that overlooks Old Jerusalem.

A total of NIS 25 million were earmarked in the project, budgeted by the Elkin's Ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the vision to change the concept of transportation across Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. "The tunnel, which connects to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join existing bike paths in the city and the ones that will be laid throughout the city's neighborhoods with the aim of encouraging cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors and encouraging the green revolution of transportation in the capital city."

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 90s to move the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently being utilized as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.

"The Kerem tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the goal of changing the way of transport in Jerusalem. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

The current projects include road construction, installation blowers, and sophisticated safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all to use all year.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation spots - including the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium and the historical natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.