The Kerem Tunnel is a great location to go on a hike or ride.
The Kerem Tunnel, the first cycle tunnel in Israel was opened in the Jerusalem Ring Path, a 42-kilometer cycle path that runs around the capital city.
The tunnel links Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. It is located in southern Israel within Refaim Park. Ein Laban is the closest. Nahal Ein Kerem is the northern entrance.
On Thursday, Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin, Mayor Moshelion, Avi Baleshnikov, Gihon chairman, and hundreds of cyclists participated in a ceremony to inaugurate the tunnel's 2.1-kilometer-long length.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6lwMSJfGow "In the past, Jerusalem was an attractive tourist destination due to its glorious past. Elkin added that in addition to its rich history and modern amenities, tourism has also been integrated into Jerusalem's city. "The inauguration (of [this] tunnel project is an additional part of the growth of Jerusalem and it's transformation into a sought-after tourist city for all sorts of people in Israel as well as across the globe."
Elkin who, along with the Jerusalem Municipality spearheaded the project, stated that the ministry "invests hundreds of millions of shekels every year in the development of Jerusalem's tourism in all its aspects and in the creation of exciting attractions and ventures that connect the glorious historical past of our capital city's eternal past to its future... I encourage you to take your bicycles along a stunning maintained, well-maintained path that looks out over Old Jerusalem.
Elkin's Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Jerusalem Municipality and Gihon Corporation contributed approximately NIS 25,000,000 for the project. The project was executed by the Jerusalem Development Authority.
נווה פריצקי "The Kerem Tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the goal to alter the notion of transportation across Jerusalem," Elkin stressed. "The new tunnel, which is connected to the lengthy Jerusalem Ring Path, will join the existing bicycle pathways in the city, as well as those that are paved in its various neighborhoods, to encourage cycling among its residents and its visitors as well as promoting the green transportation revolution in Jerusalem."
The Kerem Tunnel was first excavated in the early 1990s in order to shift the main sewer line from the Gihon Corporation toward the purification plant in Sorek, which is located to the west of the city. It is used today as an infrastructure tunnel that also houses the fifth water line to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water company.
נווה פריצקי "The Kerem tunnel project is an essential tool to realize the goal of changing the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem. "
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lee
Construction of roads installation, blowers, modern safety systems and electrical wiring are all part and parcel of the ongoing works. The tunnel will be safe for people to use all season.
The Kerem Tunnel also allows access to unique recreation sites such as the Ein Kerem neighborhood, the biblical zoo and aquarium, and the historical natural springs in Ein Laban and Ein Haniyeh. https://www.bhol.co.il/news/1439018