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The Kerem Tunnel offers a unique riding and hiking experience for the benefit of

The Kerem Tunnel, Israel’s newest bicycle tunnel, has been inaugurated as part of a 42-kilometer cycle route that circles the capital.

נווה פריצקי The tunnel is located along the Nahal Refaim-Emek Motza route. The tunnel’s southern entry point can be found within Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance is in Nahal Ein Kerem about half one kilometer away from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometer long tunnel was inaugurated on Thursday, by Jerusalem and the heritage minister Ze’ev Elkin as well as Moshe Lion, the Mayor. Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon, chairman of Gihon as well as a multitude of cyclists were also in attendance.

“In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist city due to its rich past. In the present, in addition to its historic treasures it also has modern tourism,” Elkin said. “The inauguration of tunnel is another aspect of the development of Jerusalem’s city Jerusalem as well as its development into a dazzling tourist city for all types of visitors throughout Israel and throughout the world.”

Elkin, whose ministry was spearheaded the project along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry has invested hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the development of Jerusalem’s tourism as well as in creating new activities and ventures that will connect the magnificent historic past with the future of Jerusalem. I invite cycling enthusiasts to come and enjoy the modern and well-maintained cycle route that takes in the unique landscape of Old Jerusalem.”

Elkin’s Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality as well as the Gihon Corporation all contributed to the project. The Jerusalem Development Authority completed the project.

Elkin said that the Kerem Tunnel project was a important tool to realize the goal of altering the way of transportation in Jerusalem. “The new tunnel will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path. It will link to the numerous cycling routes that exist in the city. These will be paved throughout the city’s numerous neighborhoods. The objective is to encourage cyclists in Jerusalem.

The Kerem Tunnel was originally excavated in 1990 to move the main sewers of Gihon Corporation towards the Sorek purification facility. The plant is located west of Sorek and is used today as an infrastructure tunnel.

“The Kerem tunnel is a key tool to realize the vision to transform Jerusalem’s transport system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

The works currently underway include road construction, installation of blowers as well as modern electrical and safety systems, to make the tunnel safe for people to walk through all year round.

There is also the Kerem Tunnel to enjoy unique recreation spots, including Ein Kerem, the Biblical zoo, aquarium and the Ein Kerem neighborhood.