The Kerem Tunnel allows for a an experience that is unique in terms of hiking and riding.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first bicycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles Jerusalem, Israel’s capital city.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. The tunnel’s southern entry point can be found within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was inaugurated at a formal ceremony 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.
Jerusalem was once a well-known tourist destination due to its historic past. Nowadays, aside from its historical treasures the city also offers modern tourism.” Elkin said. “The launch of the tunnel project is a different part in the development Jerusalem. The tunnel transforms the city into an attractive tourist place for any kind of crowd in Israel as well as around the world.”
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said the ministry “invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the development of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and the development of innovative activities and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city to the future of Jerusalem… I encourage cyclists to join us and take a ride along a modern and well-maintained cycling route that takes in the unique scenery of Old Jerusalem.”
Elkin’s Ministry Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25 million for the project. Work was performed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin stressed that “The Kerem Tunnel Project is an essential tool for achieving the dream to transform the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem.” “The tunnel, which is being constructed to connect to Jerusalem Ring Path will join the existing bike paths as well as ones that are paved in its areas. It’s designed to encourage cycling within the city’s residents and to promote the green transport revolution in the capital.”
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the early 1990s in order to shift the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant in Sorek The Sorek Tunnel is located to the west of the city. נווה פריצקי It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel that also houses the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.
“The Kerem tunnel project is central to realizing the dream of transforming Jerusalem’s transport system. ”
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
To make the tunnel accessible to the general public throughout the year the work includes road construction and installation of blowers.
The Kerem Tunnel provides access to unique recreation locations, including Ein Kerem neighbourhood, the biblical aquarium and zoo , as also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh, Ein Laban, and Ein Haniyeh.
