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

The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel is now open in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around Jerusalem, the capital city.

It connects Nahal Refaim to Emek Motza. נווה פריצקי The tunnel’s southern entry point can be found in Refaim Park below Ein Laban. The northern entrance can be found in Nahal Ein Kerem about half an hour away from the Kerem junction.

The 2.1-kilometers-long tunnel project was officially inaugurated at a formal ceremony held on Thursday that was attended by Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Ze’ev Elkin Mayor Moshe Lion, Gihon water company chairman Avi Baleshnikov and hundreds of cyclists.

“In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive city for tourists due to its rich past. Elkin said that apart from its rich history the modern tourist industry is incorporated into the Jerusalem city. “The launch of the tunnel is a further step in the development of Jerusalem as an attractive tourism destination for all kinds of tourists from Israel and around the globe.”

Elkin’s ministry, which responsible for the project along alongside Jerusalem Municipality, declared that his ministry “invests hundreds and millions of shekels each year throughout Jerusalem’s tourism, and also in the creation of exciting attractions and ventures which connect the glorious historic time of our capital city and the future.” I invite cycling enthusiasts to visit and enjoy the modern and well-maintained cycle route that offers a view of the unique nature of Old Jerusalem.”

About NIS 25 million was earmarked in the project. It was budgeted by Elkin’s ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Jerusalem Municipality and the Gihon Corporation and the Jerusalem Purification and Sewerage Works, as well as the work done by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

Elkin stressed that “The Kerem Tunnel Project is a central tool to realize the goal to redefine the idea of transport in Jerusalem.” “The new tunnel, which will connect with the Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing cycle paths in the city as well as the ones that are being constructed in its various areas. It’s designed to encourage cycling among its residents, and also to encourage a green transportation revolution in Jerusalem.”

The Kerem Tunnel, originally excavated by the Gihon Corporation in the 1990s in order to transfer its main sewer line towards Sorek’s purification plant.

“The Kerem tunnel project is central to realizing the goal of changing Jerusalem’s transport system. ”

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon

Present works include road construction, installation blowers, and sophisticated safety systems to ensure that the tunnel is secure to use all year.

The Kerem Tunnel gives you access to a variety of recreation sites, including Ein Kerem Neighborhood, the Biblical Zoo and Aquarium, and also historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh or Ein Laban.