The Kerem Tunnel provides a unique riding experience and hiking experience that should be enjoyed by all.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around the capital city.
The tunnel is a link between Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. It is located in southern Israel in Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.
The tunnel's official opening ceremony, which is 2.1 kilometers long, was held in Jerusalem and the Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin Mayor Moshelion, Avi Baleshnikov (Gihon water company chairman) as well as a plethora of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once a well-known tourist destination due to its rich history. Elkin stated that, today, apart from its historical treasures it is also a destination for modern-day tourists. "The launch of the tunnel is another element of the development of Jerusalem. It makes Jerusalem an attractive tourist destination for every kind of person within Israel as well as around the world."
Elkin his ministry, which together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the improvement of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and in the creation of innovative activities and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city's eternal past to its future... I invite the cycling community to take a relaxing and modern route that takes the cyclist through Old Jerusalem.
A total of NIS 25 million was put into in the project, budgeted by the Elkin's Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality, the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, with the work carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
נווה פריצקי Elkin stressed, "The Kerem Tunnel project will be the central tool in achieving our goal to change the way transportation is conducted in Jerusalem." "The new tunnel, which connects to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will join existing bike pathways in the city, as well as those that are paved in its various neighborhoods, in the hope of encouraging cycling among the city's residents as well as its visitors and encouraging the green revolution of transportation in the capital city."
The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer its main sewer line towards Sorek's purification plant.
"The Kerem tunnel project is essential to achieving the dream of transforming Jerusalem's transportation system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
The works currently underway include road construction, the installation of blowers and advanced security and electrical systems to ensure the tunnel is safe for pedestrians to travel through throughout the year.
It is also possible to use the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation spots, including Ein Kerem, the Biblical Zoo, aquarium, and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.