A little over a week ago, the Highway Councilor of the Tenerife Cabildo, Dámaso Arteaga, met with the councilors of the Canarian Coalition in La Laguna, who are in the opposition, to explain the changes planned in the TF-5 to alleviate the traffic, specifically at the exit to the highway from Guamasa. The mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez (PSOE), learned at that time that changes were being brewed on this road, one of the black spots in terms of traffic on the island, so he requested an urgent meeting with the island president, Rosa Dávila.
It was then that the mayor was informed and the details of the modification were presented, which was scheduled for this Tuesday, October 24, but which finally began this Wednesday. These are the changes that come into force temporarily, in order to analyze their results:
- Access to the TF-5 from Guamasa is closed at the roundabout (in front of the El Búnker cafeteria), so users in this area who want to join the highway will have to drive to the exit at Los Rodeos Airport, either below the road (on the main road, TF-152) or above it (Golf Course road, TF-235).
- The modification will only be active during specific days and hours: from Wednesday, October 25 to Friday, October 27 and from Monday, October 30 to Friday, November 3, from 6:30 to 9:00 in the morning.
Therefore, to access the TF-5 from Guamasa, El Ortigal, Garimba and areas of Valle Guerra, users will have to choose where to join, depending on their proximity, at the Tacoronte exit or at the Los Rodeos exit.
Given the increase in traffic that the airport roundabout will suffer, the Cabildo explains that “a series of modifications and improvements” have been necessary, prioritizing access from the TF-235 road towards the TF-5 connection in the Santa Cruz direction.
Councilor Arteaga assured this Monday that the measure has been presented to the residents of the area, to the La Laguna City Council and that it has even been submitted to the plenary commission of the Cabildo, and it has been concluded that “it is necessary to launch initiatives that study and improve the current situation.”
Arteaga added that “of course the definitive solution is to improve the infrastructure, but when these investments arrive we can take measures such as the necessary expansion of the mobile trunk to three lanes.”
Finally, the Minister of Highways indicated that, if after eight days of testing, the results are positive “infrastructure measures would have to be implemented on the TF-235 road and until they are done it would not be advisable to continue.”
A road full of trees and only two lanes
Known as the Golf Course road, the TF-235 is a road that serves as access to the towns of El Ortigal and the upper area of Guamasa. It has two lanes (one in each direction) and is surrounded by large trees and palm trees. In addition, it lacks passable shoulders or lighting and has numerous homes very close to the road.
It is popular for some of the businesses found there, such as the popular El Águila cafeteria, the former Noctooa nightclub (today Brandy’s), or its numerous restaurants (from guachinches to areperas).
