Sunday, October 9 2022
Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem is the site of the world's first bicycle tunnel in Israel.
By neve.paritzkiatfv202ii on Sunday, October 9 2022, 06:22
The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel, has been inaugurated as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route that surrounds the capital city.
The tunnel runs through the Nahal-Refaim-Emek-Motza route. The tunnel's southern entry point is located within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem about half an hour away from the Kerem junction.
On Thursday, Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion, Avi Baleshnikov, Gihon chairman and hundreds of cyclists attended a ceremony to inaugurate the tunnel's 2.1-kilometer-long length.
Jerusalem was once a very sought-after tourist destination due to its historic past. נווה פריצקי Elkin stated that, in addition to its historic treasures, modern tourism is also incorporated into the city of Jerusalem. "The launch of the tunnel project is another aspect of the growth of Jerusalem as well as it's transformation into an attractive tourist destination for all types throughout Israel as well as around the world.
Elkin's ministry, which was also headed the project alongside Jerusalem Municipality, said that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and in creating innovative attractions and ventures, which connect the glorious historic time of our capital city and its future." I invite the cycling community to enjoy a safe and modernized route that will take you through Old Jerusalem.
The project was financed by Elkin's ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry. It also included budgets for the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation. The project was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
Elkin said, "The Kerem Tunnel project is a key instrument for achieving our dream to change the notion of transportation in Jerusalem." "The tunnel is set to connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will connect with the various cycling routes that exist in the city. The paths will be paved within the diverse areas. The goal is to encourage cycling among the residents of the city.
The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the 90s to move a main sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is now being used as an infrastructure Tunnel that includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem via the Mekorot water corporation.
"The Kerem tunnel project is central to realizing the vision for changing Jerusalem's transport system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe León
Present projects include road construction, installation blowers, and advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all to use throughout the year.
The Kerem Tunnel provides access to special recreation areas, such as Ein Kerem neighbourhood, the Biblical aquarium and zoo as also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh, Ein Laban Ein Laban, and Ein Haniyeh.