Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel offers a unique adventure in hiking and riding for the enjoyment of

The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city.

The tunnel is located through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza route. The southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban, and the northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a kilometer from the Kerem junction.

The opening ceremony of the tunnel, which is 2.1 kilometers long was held in Jerusalem and the Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Mayor Moshelion, Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) as well as a plethora of cyclists.

Jerusalem was once very sought-after tourist destination due to its historic past. Nowadays, aside from its rich history it also has modern tourism.” Elkin said. “The inauguration of this tunnel is another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IARj0i5sZlw The tunnel transforms Jerusalem into an attractive destination for tourists of all types of audience throughout Israel and around the world.”

נווה פריצקי Elkin his ministry, which responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry had invested hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the city’s tourism development as well as in creating new attractions and ventures that connect the stunning historic past with the the future of Jerusalem. I would like to invite cyclists to visit and enjoy an up-to-date and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special nature of Old Jerusalem.”

Elkin’s Ministerial, Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25,000,000 for the project. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool for achieving the goal to alter the concept and transportation throughout Jerusalem. “The tunnel, which connects with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing cycle routes in the city and will be paved within its diverse neighborhood. It is designed to encourage bicycle riding within the city’s residents and promote an environmentally sustainable transportation system in Jerusalem.”

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

נווה פריצקי “The Kerem tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the vision to change the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León

The work currently in progress includes road construction, the installation of blowers as well as modern electrical and safety systems, to ensure the tunnel is safe for pedestrians to travel through at all times of the year.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to special recreation areas such as the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo, aquarium and the along with the historic natural springs of Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.