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The Kerem Tunnel offers an unforgettable riding and hiking experience to the benefit of

The Kerem Tunnel is the first bicycle tunnel to be constructed in Israel and was officially opened in the year 2000 as part of the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycling route around the capital.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim with Emek Motza. The southern entrance of the tunnel is below Ein Laban in Refaim Park. The northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem.

The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was officially opened on Thursday, by Jerusalem and heritage minister Ze’evElkin and Mayor Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon the chairman of Gihon and a plethora of other cyclists also attended.

Jerusalem was once a major tourist attraction because of its rich past. Nowadays, aside from its rich history, it also incorporates modern-day tourism,” Elkin said. “The opening (of the tunnel) is a further step in the expansion of Jerusalem as well as its transformation into a desirable tourist city for all sorts of people throughout Israel and around the globe.”

Elkin, whose ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality led the project, said that his ministry “invests hundreds to millions of shekels each year in the growth of all aspects Jerusalem’s tourists and in the creation and operation of innovative attractions, ventures , and other attractions which connect the rich past of Jerusalem’s eternal city to the future”. I invite the cycling community to enjoy a safe and modern route that takes the cyclist through Old Jerusalem.

About NIS 25 million was earmarked in the project, financed by the Elkin’s Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality, the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, and the work was carried out by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stated that the Kerem Tunnel project was a crucial element in achieving the goal of altering the way of transport throughout Jerusalem. “The new tunnel, which is connected to the Jerusalem Ring Path, will connect the existing cycle routes within the city as well as those that will be paved within its different neighborhood. The tunnel is intended to encourage cycling within its inhabitants, and promote an environmentally sustainable transportation system in Jerusalem.”

The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the late 1990s to relocate the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant located in Sorek The Sorek Tunnel is located just west of the city. נווה פריצקי It is currently used as an infrastructure tunnel. It also houses the fifth water line that connects to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.

“The Kerem tunnel project is crucial to realize the vision for changing Jerusalem’s transportation system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

Road construction, installation , and testing of electrical and safety systems are just a few of the ongoing works to ensure that the tunnel is secure for all seasons.

The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation spots – including the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo, aquarium and the along with the historic natural springs of Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh.