The Kerem Tunnel is a great location to go on a hike or ride.
The Kerem Tunnel, Israel's first cycle tunnel, was inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path. This 42-kilometer cycle path surrounds Jerusalem.
The tunnel is located through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza route. The southern entrance is within Refaim Park under Ein Laban. 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 by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin. It was also attended by Mayor Moshelion Avi Balehnikov Gihon Water Company Chairman, as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction due to its rich history. נווה פריצקי Today, apart from its historic treasures it also has modern-day tourism," Elkin said. "The launch of the tunnel project [is] another part in the development Jerusalem. It transforms Jerusalem into an attractive tourist place for all types of audience in Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin's ministry, which was also headed the project in conjunction with Jerusalem Municipality, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels annually in all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and in creating exciting attractions and ventures that connect the magnificent historical history of our capital city and the future." I encourage you to take your bicycles on a scenic, well-maintained route that overlooks Old Jerusalem.
About NIS 25 million were put into in the project, budgeted by Elkin's ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the idea to transform the idea of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin said. Elkin explained that the proposed tunnel connects to the Jerusalem Ring Path and will join existing bike trails. It will also be paved in its different neighborhoods. It will also increase cycling and encourage green transport in Jerusalem.
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the 1990s to move the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek It is situated just west of the city. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It also houses the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the vision to change the way of transport in Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
Present projects include road construction, installation blowers as well as advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is safe for all to use during the entire year.
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.