The Kerem Tunnel allows for a an experience that is unique in terms of hiking and riding.

In the 42-kilometer Jerusalem Ring Path cycling route, which surrounds the capital city, the Kerem Tunnel was inaugurated.

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

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

Jerusalem was once a major tourist attraction due to its rich history. Elkin said that today, apart from its historical treasures it also incorporates modern tourists. “The opening of this tunnel project [is] another part in the development Jerusalem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6lwMSJfGow It transforms the city into an attractive tourist destination for any kind of crowd in Israel, and worldwide.”

Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said the ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop Jerusalem’s tourism in all its aspects and also in the development of innovative attractions and ventures that connect the fascinating history of our capital city to its future… I would like to invite cyclists to join us and take a ride along the modern and well-maintained cycle route that offers a view of the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem.”

Elkin’s Ministry Elkin’s Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality, and the Gihon Corporation all contributed to the project. The Jerusalem Development Authority completed the project.

Elkin declared that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the dream of altering the way of transportation throughout Jerusalem. “The new tunnel that connects to the Jerusalem Ring Path will join existing paths for bicycles and the ones that will be paved within its areas. It is intended to encourage biking among the residents of Jerusalem and encourage the green transport revolution in Jerusalem.”

נווה פריצקי 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 The Sorek Tunnel is located west of the city and is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It includes the fifth water line, which connects to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool to realize the goal of transforming Jerusalem’s transportation model. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

Present works include road construction, installation blowers, and advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is safe to use all year.

The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreational areas, like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical aquarium and zoo and historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.