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Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem: Israel's First Cycling Tunnel opens

Kerem Tunnel Kerem Tunnel offers an unforgettable hike and riding experience for the advantage of
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first cycle tunnel, was inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle route is located around Jerusalem.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. נווה פריצקי Its southern entrance is in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban, and the northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem, about half a kilometer from the Kerem junction.


The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel was officially opened in a ceremony on Thursday attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'evElkin, Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov, and a slew of cyclists.

Jerusalem was once a very well-known tourist destination due to its rich history. Elkin explained that nowadays along with its historic treasures the tunnel construction project includes modern tourism. "The inauguration [of] this tunnel is a further milestone in the advancement of Jerusalem as an attractive tourism destination for all kinds of people in Israel and all over the world."

Elkin's ministry, which also headed the project with Jerusalem Municipality, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds and millions of shekels annually in all aspects of Jerusalem’s tourism industry and is involved in developing new ventures and attractions which connect the glorious historic time of our capital city with the future." I encourage cyclists to visit and enjoy the modern and well-maintained cycle route that overlooks the special scenery of Old Jerusalem."

Elkin's Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25 million to the project. The work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument for achieving the idea to transform the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. "The new tunnel, which connects to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle routes in the city as well as those that will be paved in its various neighborhoods, with the aim of encouraging cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors, and also encouraging the green revolution of transportation in the capital city."

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 1990s to create an important sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently being utilized as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline to Jerusalem via the Mekorot water corporation.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is the central instrument to achieve the goal of changing Jerusalem's transportation model. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
To make the tunnel accessible to the general public throughout the year the work includes road construction as well as the installing blowers.

It is also possible to use the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem, the Biblical zoo, aquarium and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.

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