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Neve Paritzki (נווה פריצקי)Jerusalem opens Israel's first cycling tunnel

The Kerem Tunnel offers an unforgettable adventure on foot and in the saddle to the benefit of
As part of the 42-kilometer Jerusalem Ring Path cycling route that runs around the capital, the Kerem Tunnel was inaugurated.

The tunnel connects Nahal Refaim and Emek Motza. The southern entrance is located in Refaim Park, below Ein Laban while the northern entrance is located in Nahal Ein Kerem, about 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 and Mayor Moshe Lion. Avi Baleshnikov of Gihon Chairman of Gihon, and hundreds other cyclists were also present.

Jerusalem was a popular tourist destination due to its rich and fascinating historical. In the present, in addition to its rich history, it also incorporates modern tourism," Elkin said. "The inauguration[of] the tunnel project is another element of the progress of Jerusalem as well as its transformation into a desirable tourist destination for all types throughout Israel and the world.

Elkin, whose ministry was responsible for the project, along with Jerusalem Municipality stated that his ministry invested thousands of shekels every year in the development of Jerusalem's tourism and in the development of new activities and ventures that will connect the magnificent historic past with the the future of Jerusalem. I encourage all cyclists to visit and enjoy the new, well-maintained and modern route that overlooks Old Jerusalem.

נווה פריצקי Elkin's Ministry 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.

"The Kerem Tunnel project is a central tool for realizing the idea to change the concept of transportation throughout Jerusalem," Elkin said. "The tunnel, which is being constructed to connect to Jerusalem Ring Path will join the existing bike paths as well as the ones that will be paved within its areas. It's designed to encourage biking among the residents of Jerusalem and encourage the green movement in the capital."

The Kerem Tunnel first was excavated in the late 90s to relocate a main sewer line for the Gihon Corporation towards Sorek. It is currently utilized as an infrastructure tunnel which includes the fifth waterline that runs to Jerusalem from the Mekorot water corporation.

"The Kerem tunnel is a key tool to realize the dream of transforming Jerusalem's transportation system. "

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon
Road construction, installation and testing of electrical and safety systems are some of the ongoing works to make the tunnel safer for all seasons.

The Kerem Tunnel allows for access to unique recreational areas, such as Ein Kerem, a neighborhood which includes a Biblical aquarium and zoo, and historic natural springs Ein Haniyeh and Ein Laban.