The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique ride and hiking experience that should be loved by everyone.
נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel, the first bicycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem, Israel's capital city.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. The southern entrance of the tunnel is beneath Ein Laban in Refaim Park. The northern entrance is found in Nahal Ein Kerem.
The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin. The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Moshelion Avi Balehnikov Gihon Water Company Chairman, as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem's glorious past was a reason for it to be a popular tourist attraction in the past. Elkin explained that the modern tourism industry is an integral part of Jerusalem's treasures from the past and also incorporates modern tourism. "The inauguration of this tunnel project [is] another part in the development Jerusalem. It transforms the city into an attractive tourist place for every kind of person within Israel, and worldwide."
Elkin his ministry, which together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the development of all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and in the creation of exciting activities and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our eternal capital to its future... I invite cyclists to enjoy a well-maintained, modern cycling route that overlooks the distinctive landscape of Old Jerusalem.
Around NIS 25 million were put into in the project, financed by the Elkin's Ministry, 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.
Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the dream of changing the concept for transportation in Jerusalem. "The new tunnel will connect to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will link to the numerous bicycle paths that are already within the city. They will be laid in its numerous areas. The aim is to promote cycling among the residents of the city.
The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 1990s to create a main sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently being used as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.
"The Kerem tunnel project is essential to achieving the vision for changing Jerusalem's transport system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
Construction of roads, the installation and testing of safety and electrical systems are just a few of the ongoing projects to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all seasons.
There is also the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique places to relax, such as Ein Kerem, the Biblical Zoo, aquarium, and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.