Neve ParitzkiIsrael''s first cycling tunnel opens in Jerusalem

The Kerem Tunnel offers an unforgettable adventure on foot and in the saddle to the benefit of
The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel is now open in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around the capital city.

The tunnel runs along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza path. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is about half a kilometer away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.

נווה פריצקי The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was inaugurated at a formal ceremony on Thursday attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze''ev Elkin Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov and hundreds of cyclists.


Jerusalem was once a popular tourist destination because of its historical past. Elkin explained that nowadays, in addition to its rich history the tunnel construction project encompasses modern day tourism. "The launch of the tunnel project is a further part of the growth of Jerusalem as a city. Jerusalem and its transformation into a dazzling tourist city for all types of audiences throughout Israel and around the world."

Elkin his ministry, which responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry has invested thousands of shekels each year in Jerusalem''s tourist development and in the development of new ventures and attractions which will link the amazing historic past with the future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to take a relaxing and modern route that takes you through Old Jerusalem.

נווה פריצקי The project was funded by Elkin''s ministry and the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The project was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

נווה פריצקי Elkin said that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is an essential tool for achieving the vision to redefine the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem." נווה פריצקי "The new tunnel will be connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will be connected to the many bicycle paths that are already in the city. They will be laid in its various areas. The aim is to encourage cycling among residents of the city.

The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to move its main sewer line towards the Sorek purification plant.

"The Kerem tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the vision to change the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
The works currently underway include road construction, installation of blowers and advanced security and electrical systems to ensure the tunnel is safe for the public to pass through all year round.

There is also the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique places to relax, such as Ein Kerem, the Biblical aquarium, zoo and Ein Kerem neighborhood.