Israeli newspaper, The Jerusalem Post, has reported plans for a tunnel with the familiar rallying call of the environmental benefits, but rather than a new mass transit or wastewater scheme, the plans advocate “Jerusalemites be buried in large, multi-storey tunnels, not unlike road tunnels” to utilise space below the city’s crowded cemeteries.
The 15m by 7m tunnels would be “sort of like ancient catacombs but with modern ventilation, lighting, elevators, ramps and even tastefully decorated waiting areas”. The tunnels would be built under the Har Hamenuhot cemetery as the rock there is suited for use in concrete and gravel, offsetting cost and eliminating many problems with muck disposal.
