The Kerem Tunnel is a great spot to hike and ride.

נווה פריצקי The Kerem Tunnel, the first bicycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city.

The tunnel is a link between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. http://www.makorrishon.co.il/mumlazim/523585/ The southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban and its northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about one kilometer away close to the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was opened on Thursday by Jerusalem and heritage minister Ze’ev Elkin and Mayor Moshe Lion. נווה פריצקי Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon, chairman of Gihon, and hundreds other cyclists also attended.

Jerusalem’s glorious past was a reason why it was the most visited tourist spot in the past. In the present, in addition to its historical treasures the city also offers modern-day tourism,” Elkin said. “The launch of the tunnel is another aspect of the expansion of the city of Jerusalem as well as its development into an attractive tourist destination for all kinds of visitors throughout Israel and around the globe.”

Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said his ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the development of Jerusalem’s tourism in all its aspects and in the creation of innovative tourist attractions and ventures that link the rich history of our capital city to the future of Jerusalem… I encourage cyclists to take advantage of a the modern, well-maintained cycling route overlooking the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem.

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

Elkin stressed, “The Kerem Tunnel project is a key instrument for achieving our dream to change the way transportation is conducted in Jerusalem.” “The new tunnel will be connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will connect with the various cycling routes that exist in the city. http://www.news1.co.il/ShowArticles.aspx?docId=459025&subjectId=42&ShowAll=True They will be laid within the diverse neighborhoods. The goal is to promote cycling among residents of the city.

The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the late 1990s to relocate the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek It is situated west of the city and is used today as an infrastructure tunnel. It includes the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the goal of changing the notion of transportation in Jerusalem. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon

Present work includes road construction, installation blowers and sophisticated safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure to use throughout the year.

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