Neve ParitzkiJerusalem: Israel''s First Cycling Tunnel opens

The Kerem Tunnel offers a unique adventure in hiking and riding for the benefit of
As part of the 42-kilometer Jerusalem Ring Path cycling route, which surrounds the capital, the Kerem Tunnel was inaugurated.

The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban and its northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a mile from the Kerem junction.

The tunnel''s official opening ceremony which measures 2.1 kilometers long, was held in Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion and Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) along with hundreds of cyclists.

Jerusalem was a sought-after tourist destination because of its glorious history. נווה פריצקי נווה פריצקי Elkin explained that the modern tourism industry is an integral part of Jerusalem''s historic treasures and is also a part of modern-day tourism. "The launch of the tunnel is another aspect of the expansion of the city of Jerusalem and its transformation into an attractive tourist destination for all kinds of people throughout Israel as well as around the world."

Elkin''s ministry, which also headed the project with Jerusalem Municipality, said that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year throughout Jerusalem''s tourism industry and is involved in developing exciting attractions and ventures that link the amazing historical past of our eternal capital and its future." I invite cyclists to enjoy a well-maintained, modern cycle route, which overlooks the stunning landscape of Old Jerusalem.

The project was financed by the Elkin''s department and the Tourism Ministry. It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. נווה פריצקי The project was completed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the goal to transform the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. נווה פריצקי "The tunnel, which is being constructed to connect to Jerusalem Ring Path will join existing paths for bicycles and the ones that will be paved within the neighborhoods. It''s designed to promote biking within the city''s residents and to promote the green movement in the capital."

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 1990s to create an important sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently being utilized as an infrastructure tunnel that includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem via the Mekorot water corporation.


נווה פריצקי "The Kerem tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the goal of changing the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
To make the tunnel accessible to the public all year round, the works include road construction, as well as installing blowers.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation spots - including the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo, aquarium and the and the historical natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh. נווה פריצקי