Neve ParitzkiJerusalem opens Israel's first cycle tunnel.

The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique ride and hiking experience that should be loved by everyone.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's newest bicycle tunnel, has been constructed as a part of a 42-kilometer cycle route that runs through the capital.

The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The southern entrance is within Refaim Park under Ein Laban.  נווה פריצקינווה פריצקי The northern entry, Nahal Ein Kerem, is about half a kilometer away from the Nahal Ein Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was officially opened on Thursday, by Jerusalem and the heritage minister Ze'evElkin and Mayor Moshe Lion.  נווה פריצקי Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon the chairman of Gihon and a plethora of other cyclists also attended.

Jerusalem was a desirable tourist destination due to its rich and fascinating history. Elkin stated that nowadays, in addition to its rich history the tunnel project incorporates modern-day tourism. "The inauguration (of this tunnel project) is a further step in the growth of Jerusalem as well as its transformation into a desirable tourist city for all sorts of people 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 every year in the improvement of all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and in the creation of exciting attractions and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city to the future of Jerusalem...  נווה פריצקי I would like to invite you to ride your bicycles on a scenic maintained, well-maintained path that looks out over Old Jerusalem.

The project was funded by Elkin's ministry and the Tourism Ministry. It also included the budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The project was done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated the fact that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is a central tool to realize the goal to change the way we think about transport in Jerusalem." "The new tunnel, which will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing cycle paths in the city as well as the ones that will be constructed within the various neighborhoods.  נווה פריצקי The tunnel is intended to encourage cycling among its residents, and promote a green transportation revolution in Jerusalem."

The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to move its main sewer line towards Sorek's purification plant.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool to realize the vision of transforming Jerusalem's transportation model. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León
Present work includes road construction, installation blowers, and advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is safe to use all year.

You can also access the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem, the Biblical zoo, aquarium and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.