The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique adventure in hiking and riding that should be enjoyed by all.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first bicycle tunnel in Israel is now open as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles Jerusalem, Israel's capital city.
The tunnel is located along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza route. The southern entrance is within Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is approximately half a mile away from the Kerem junction.
נווה פריצקי Inauguration of the tunnel which measures 2.1 kilometers long took place in Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion and Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) along with hundreds of cyclists.
"In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city due to its rich past. Elkin said that apart from its historical treasures the modern tourist industry is included in the Jerusalem city. "The inauguration [of] this tunnel project is another step in the development of Jerusalem as an ideal tourist destination for all types of travelers from Israel and all over the world."
Elkin who, through his ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, said that the Jerusalem Municipality's ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels annually in the development all aspects Jerusalem's visitors and in the creation and operation of innovative attractions, ventures , and other attractions which connect the rich past of Jerusalem to the future". I encourage cyclists to take advantage of a the modern, well-maintained cycle route, which overlooks the stunning nature of Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25,000,000 to the project. The project was executed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project is an crucial tool to realize the goal to transform the idea of transport throughout Jerusalem. "The new tunnel, which will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing cycle routes in the city as well as the ones that will be paved within its various neighborhoods. It is designed to encourage bicycling within the city's residents and to promote the green revolution in transportation in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s to relocate its main sewer line towards Sorek's purification plant.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool to realize the goal of transforming Jerusalem's transport model. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
The works currently underway include road construction, the installation of blowers, as well as advanced electrical and safety systems, in order to ensure that the tunnel is secure for pedestrians to travel through at all times of the year.
The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to a variety of recreational sites, such as Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium, as well historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.