SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Nov. 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, convened support from economic and social agents on Tuesday for the establishment of a comprehensive agreement for sustainable mobility on the island of Tenerife, which includes 70 measures aimed at alleviating traffic congestion as a central focus.
During the gathering, the president detailed the 70 proposed actions and emphasized that this agreement “seeks not only the commitment of the political factions represented in the Council but also that of all stakeholders and operators in the sector.”
Many of the suggested initiatives, she remarked, “are already in progress and encompass the enhancement and modernisation of the public transportation network alongside improvements to essential strategic infrastructure.”
Additionally, the president of the island underscored their commitment to confronting a “historic challenge” impacting thousands daily, such as mobility on an island with over 950,000 residents that has surpassed 3.5 million journeys each day.
As such, Rosa Dávila indicated that to back these actions, a “historic allocation” of 234 million euros has been earmarked in the 2025 budget solely for mobility initiatives.
This amount represents an 8% increase from the previous budget and accounts for 21% of the Council’s total budget, reflecting the priority assigned to this area, allocating 1 in every 5 euros.
The meeting was attended by leading figures from the business sector, including the CEOE of Tenerife; the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Ashotel; Femete; APECA; Fredica; Fepecco; the Transport Federation; alongside other crucial collaborators such as the Civil Guard, representatives from the island’s municipalities, and professional associations like the Civil, Canal and Port Engineers of Santa Cruz de Tenerife; College of Technical Public Works Engineers.
Moreover, Dávila was joined by the vice president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Lope Afonso; the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of the Government of the Canary Islands, Francisco González; the general director of Transport and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands, María Fernández; the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García; and members of the insular corporation.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of the Government of the Canary Islands, Francisco González, praised “the courage and determination” shown by the president and the entire Cabildo for placing a direct focus on mobility from the outset.
Among the 16 principal measures aimed at promoting public transport, the president of the Cabildo announced the launch of a new shuttle service in the northern area of Tenerife towards the Hospital del Norte next year.
REDUCE TRAVEL TO THE HUC
This initiative is complemented by a 1.6 million euro agreement with the Canarian Health Service to enhance care at the Hospital del Norte and minimise trips to the Canary Islands University Hospital (HUC).
The president highlighted that, due to this investment, it is estimated that around 140,000 trips per year will be averted, as the agreement also includes home care in rural areas of the north, from La Orotava to Isla Baja.
RESTRICTIONS IN ANAGA
During the plenary session, the island president declared that starting next January, entry of large buses into certain protected natural areas such as Anaga will be restricted, due to the traffic and congestion they generate.
Furthermore, he mentioned that a new ‘Anaga shuttle’ will be initiated to promote organised visits via public transport, and in 2025, access by private vehicles will be limited.
He also noted that a deterrent parking facility will be established at the entrance of the Anaga Rural Park, in Las Canteras, to reduce private vehicle use by visitors.
On another note, he detailed the construction of four new deterrent parking lots, two on the TF-1 and two on the TF-5, to facilitate connections with public transport.
Dávila confirmed that the project for the BUS-HOV lane on the TF-5 will be handed over in December, which will be managed via an intelligent system between Santa Cruz and La Laguna, with construction set to commence in 2025.
Additionally, he explained that the BUS-HOV Lane project between Santa Cruz and Güímar is in progress on TF-1, which will be put out to tender and completed within the current term.
To enhance accessibility in rural regions, Dávila announced that within ten days, a Free Transportation on Demand service will be launched in Arico, Fasnia, and Güímar, benefiting approximately 14,000 individuals.
This service is expected to expand in 2025 to other areas such as Santiago del Teide, La Orotava, Tacoronte, and Isla Baja, with the intention of decentralising administrative services and decreasing unnecessary trips to the capital.
We are exploring alternatives to establish new Multiple Use Buildings in various locations across the island to bring administration services closer to citizens and minimise travel,” Dávila added.
He also outlined a set of five measures aimed at optimising traffic flow, which includes reorganising heavy transport exits to reduce circulation during critical hours and facilitate parents’ school drop-offs.
Now, he announced that steps are already being taken towards an agreement with the Port and Customs Authority so that the clearing of goods occurs 24 hours a day, thus alleviating rush hour congestion.
STAGGER SCHEDULES
In the education sector, Dávila elaborated that the Cabildo is collaborating with the rectorate of the University of La Laguna to implement staggered student entrances, with a pilot project expected in some faculties during the second quarter of the 2024/2025 academic year.
Moreover, the 2025/2026 academic year will see the initiation of the first strategic school transportation exercise in Tenerife, aimed at preventing 6,500 daily car journeys to five schools situated around the TF-5 in La Laguna.
To mitigate congestion, he highlighted the direct paths to the Güímar industrial estate or the San Isidro link, along with two alternative links on the TF-5 near Guamasa designed to decrease travel time from the north by 20% during peak hours.
As for strategic projects, the third lane of the TF-5 from Guamasa to the airport is currently in the drafting phase with a projected budget of 55 million euros; the La Laguna variant is valued at 500 million euros; rehabilitation of the TF-1 in the Güímar-Arico segment with an investment of 30 million euros; and the implementation of the Padre Anchieta Pedestrian Ring, which will benefit 20,000 pedestrians daily while alleviating a location where 50,000 vehicles circulate on a daily basis.
Additionally, he noted the drafting of the Los Cristianos Interchange project, which will integrate the connection with the Tren del Sur and the burying of Chayofitas and Juan Carlos I avenues, with an investment exceeding 90 million euros.
Regarding the island ring, in November, the project for the San Juan de la Rambla-Icod de los Vinos variant was awarded with a budget of 4.6 million euros, while the completion of the Erjos tunnel is scheduled for 2026.
