Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem is home to Israel's first bicycle tunnel
The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel is now open as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem, Israel's capital city.
The tunnel is located along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza route. The tunnel's southern entrance is below Ein Laban in Refaim Park. The northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem.
On Thursday, Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion, Avi Baleshnikov, Gihon chairman, and a slew of cyclists attended a ceremony to mark the opening of the tunnel's 2.1-kilometer-long length.
נווה פריצקי "In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city because of its rich history. Elkin said that, today along with its historical treasures the tunnel construction project includes modern tourism. "The opening of this tunnel is another aspect of the development of the city of Jerusalem as well as its development into an attractive tourist city for all types of visitors in Israel and throughout the globe."
Elkin's ministry, which was also headed the project with Jerusalem Municipality, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds and millions of shekels annually in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism, and also in the creation of exciting attractions and ventures that connect the magnificent historical history of our capital city and its future." I invite all cyclists to come and take a ride along the contemporary, well-maintained road which overlooks Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry and the Tourism Ministry budgeted the project.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the idea to transform the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. "The new tunnel, which connects to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing bike pathways in the city, as well as those that will be paved in the various neighborhoods to encourage cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors, and also promoting the green revolution of transportation in Jerusalem."
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 to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.
"The Kerem tunnel project is central to realizing the vision for changing Jerusalem's transportation system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
Road construction, installation , and testing of safety and electrical systems are some of the ongoing works to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all year.
The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to a variety of recreational sites, such as Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium as well as historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.