The Kerem Tunnel is a great place to ride and hike.
The Kerem Tunnel is the first cycle tunnel to be constructed in Israel and was officially opened in the year 2000 as part the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles the capital.
The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The tunnel's southern entry point is located in Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer from the Kerem junction.
The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was inaugurated during a celebration on Thursday , attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze'ev Elkin Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov as well as hundreds of cyclists.
Jerusalem was once a tourist attraction because of its rich history. Elkin stated that the present as well as its historical treasures the tunnel construction project encompasses modern day tourism. "The launch of the tunnel project is a different aspect of the growth of Jerusalem as well as it's transformation into an attractive tourism destination for all throughout Israel as well as around the world.
Elkin who, along with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, said his ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels each year in the development of the tourism industry in Jerusalem and in the creation of new tourist attractions and ventures that link the glorious historical past of our capital city to the future of Jerusalem... I invite cycling enthusiasts to visit and enjoy a modern and well-maintained cycling route that overlooks the special nature of Old Jerusalem."
Elkin's Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation all contributed to the project. The Jerusalem Development Authority completed the work.
נווה פריצקי Elkin said that "The Kerem Tunnel Project is an essential tool for achieving the goal to change the way we think about transport throughout Jerusalem." "The new tunnel, which connects with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing cycle routes within the city and are being constructed in its different areas. The tunnel is intended to encourage cycling among its residents, and also to encourage the green revolution in transportation in Jerusalem."
In the 1990s In the 90s, the Kerem Tunnel was excavated to transfer the main sewer line from Gihon Corporation to the Sorek purification plant. It is now used for infrastructure purposes and houses the fifth water line to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.
"The Kerem tunnel is a key tool to realize the goal of changing Jerusalem's transportation system. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lon
Road construction installation, blowers, modern safety systems , and electrical wiring are all part of the ongoing work. The tunnel will be safe for the people to use all entire year.
The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreation areas, like Ein Kerem, a neighborhood that includes a biblical zoo and aquarium and historical natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.