Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Israel's first cycling tunnel is inaugurated in Jerusalem
The Kerem Tunnel offers a unique trail and riding experience to the benefit of
In the 42-kilometer Jerusalem Ring Path cycling route, which surrounds the capital, the Kerem Tunnel was inaugurated.
The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The southern entrance is in Refaim Park under Ein Laban. The northern entrance, Nahal Ein Kerem, is approximately half a mile away from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometer-long tunnel was officially inaugurated by Jerusalem's Heritage Minister ZeevElkin. The ceremony was also attended by Mayor Moshelion, Avi Balehnikov, Gihon Water Company chairman, as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once very popular tourist destination because of its rich history. Elkin stated that the current tourism industry is an integral part of Jerusalem's treasures from the past and incorporates modern day tourism. "The opening of this tunnel project [is] another element of the development of Jerusalem. The tunnel makes Jerusalem an attractive tourist destination for all types of audience within Israel and around the world."
Elkin, whose ministry together with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year to develop all aspects of Jerusalem's tourism and the development of innovative attractions and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our eternal capital to the future of Jerusalem... I would like to invite cyclists to visit and enjoy the modern and well-maintained cycle route that takes in the unique nature of Old Jerusalem."
About NIS 25 million were put into in the project. It was budgeted by Elkin's ministry as well as the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, and the work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
"The Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the idea to alter the notion of transportation across Jerusalem," Elkin said. "The new tunnel, which is connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing cycle routes within the city, and will be paved within its different neighborhoods. נווה פריצקי It is designed to encourage bicycle riding within its inhabitants, and promote a green transportation revolution in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the early 1990s in order to shift the main sewer line of the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant in Sorek It is situated just west of the city. It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel that also houses the fifth water line to Jerusalem of the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem Tunnel Project is essential to realize the dream of transforming the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
Current works include road construction, installation blowers as well as advanced safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all to use throughout the year.
The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreational areas, such as Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which has a Biblical zoo and aquarium and also the historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.