Neve ParitzkiJerusalem''s first cycle tunnel has been inaugurated in Israel

The Kerem Tunnel allows for a unique hiking and riding experience.
The Kerem Tunnel is the first cycle tunnel to be constructed in Israel and was officially opened in the year 2000 as a part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around the capital.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. Its southern entry is located within Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entrance, Nahal Ein Kerem, is approximately half a mile away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.

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

The city''s rich history was a reason for it to be an extremely popular tourist attraction during the time of its glory. Elkin said that the present tourist industry is a part of Jerusalem''s treasures from the past and also incorporates modern tourism. "The launch (of the tunnel) is an additional part of the development of Jerusalem as well as it''s transformation into a sought-after tourist destination for all kinds of audiences across Israel as well as around the globe."

Elkin, whose ministry was responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry had invested thousands of shekels each year in Jerusalem''s tourist development as well as in creating new ventures and attractions that will connect the magnificent historical past with the exciting the future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to ride a secure and modernized route that will take the cyclist through Old Jerusalem.

נווה פריצקי About NIS 25 million were put into in the project, budgeted by Elkin''s ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin declared that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the dream of altering the way of transportation in Jerusalem. "The new tunnel, which connects to the long Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle paths in the city and those that are paved in the various neighborhoods in the hope of encouraging cycling among the city''s residents as well as its visitors, and also encouraging the green transportation revolution in the capital city."

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

"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument to achieve the goal of transforming Jerusalem''s transport model. "


Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
The current works include road construction, installation of blowers, as well as advanced security and electrical systems to make the tunnel safe for pedestrians to travel through at all times of the year.

Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel provides access to special recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem neighbourhood, the biblical aquarium and zoo as well the historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh, Ein Laban Ein Laban, and Ein Haniyeh. נווה פריצקי