The Bridges of Madison, a masterpiece by Clint Eastwood from 1995 that many consider one of the greatest romance films in history, had an initial cost of 22 million US dollars, but ended up grossing approximately 182 million and continues to be profitable. In Guamasa, La Laguna (Tenerife), there are bridges that have deviated significantly from their original budget of 2,082 Euros eighteen years ago (the project started in 2006), with costs escalating to 3.9 million. Similarly, the Adán Martín Auditorium on the same island, designed by the Valencian architect Calatrava, has faced maintenance issues, particularly with the trencadís – a mosaic of small ceramic fragments. This situation mirrors the challenges seen in the famous and controversial concert hall in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where costs tripled to reach 74 million.
The Adán Martín Auditorium, inaugurated on September 26, 2003, has been in a deplorable state for over seven years, plagued by issues like humidity and trencadrís failures, as reported by Canarias Ahora last week. The Cabildo claims it’s unable to address these problems due to an ongoing legal conflict between Calatrava and the construction companies UTE (Acciona, Dragados, and Promotora Punta Larga) responsible for its construction. Despite extensive searches, information on this conflict, including dates, news, statements, or resolutions, is challenging to find. The Auditorium’s tripling costs were highly controversial in Tenerife, where it remains a focal point due to its current degraded state despite its significant expense. It stands as a major cultural icon attracting tourists daily.
The “put a Calatrava in your life” trend, emulated by cities globally, has had a lasting impact in Tenerife, leading to similar challenges in maintenance, over expenditure, and difficulty justifying the costs against the benefits. One notable example is the construction of two bridges in Guamasa, mimicking the Auditorium, which have been operational since September 2009 without a convincing explanation from regional or Cabildo authorities regarding the design choices, construction issues, delays, cost escalation, and lack of proper maintenance. Recent photos illustrate the neglect these structures face, underscoring the prevailing issues.
Spanning Over Three Years in Construction for Two Bridges
The additional costs of almost 4 million Euros, compared to the initial budget of 2 million Euros, were primarily due to structural and safety miscalculations following the project’s tender on March 6, 2006, commencing construction in May of the same year. Delays and obstacles prolonged the construction to nearly three and a half years.
Amid criticisms from PSOE oppositions in the Cabildo and Lagunero City Council back then, questioning the necessity and cost-effectiveness of these bridges, the island and local governments of CC defended them as integral parts of a future boulevard, to accommodate a railway near Los Rodeos airport in Tenerife North. Recent discussions lean towards prioritising the extension of the tram from La Laguna to Tacoronte, potentially shelving the railway project.
However, the envisioned boulevard remains a distant prospect. Nonetheless, the bridges were constructed to allow for future railway and tram compatibility, avoiding the need for significant structural changes later on.
Initially under regional government jurisdiction, the responsibility for these bridges was later transferred to the Cabildo, who chose mosaic finishes, despite community objections favouring more cost-effective and functional alternatives that would have prevented lengthy delays during construction.
Almost fifteen years later, the bridges bear multiple graffiti, sections with fallen trencadrís (albeit better adhesive material used than the Auditorium), stained mosaics creating a rundown appearance, lack of maintenance causing disfigurement, raising questions on the necessity of such projects despite other architectural landmarks bearing Calatrava’s signature recently opened on the island.
