The Kerem Tunnel allows for a an experience that is unique in terms of hiking and riding.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first bike tunnel, opened as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.
The tunnel is a link between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. https://nevefrietzki.co.il/ The southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban, and the northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about one kilometer away close to the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was officially opened on Thursday by Jerusalem and the heritage minister Ze'ev Elkin as well as Moshe Lion, the Mayor. Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon the chairman of Gihon, and hundreds other cyclists were also present.
Jerusalem was once a well-known tourist destination due to its historic past. Elkin said that apart from its historical treasures and modern amenities, tourism has also been integrated into the Jerusalem city. "The opening (of this tunnel project) is an additional part of the expansion of Jerusalem and the transformation of Jerusalem into a popular tourist destination for all kinds of people throughout Israel as well as across the globe."
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop Jerusalem's tourism in all its aspects and the development of new tourist attractions and ventures that link the rich history of our eternal capital to the future of Jerusalem... I invite cyclists to enjoy an attractive, well-maintained cycling route overlooking the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem.
The project was funded by the Elkin's Ministry and the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The work was done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the vision of altering the way of transport throughout Jerusalem. "The new tunnel, which is connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect with existing cycle paths in the city and are being constructed in its various neighborhood. The tunnel is intended to encourage bicycle riding among its residents, and also to encourage an environmentally sustainable transportation system in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the early 1990s in order to shift the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek, which is located to the west of the city. It is currently being used as an infrastructure tunnel that also houses the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the goal of changing the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León
Present work includes road construction, installation blowers, as well as advanced security systems to ensure the tunnel is secure to use during the entire year.
Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel allows for access to exclusive recreation areas for instance Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which has a Biblical aquarium and zoo, and also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.