The Cabildo de Tenerife must authorise the works it is undertaking on the TF-31 road, the well-known East road that facilitates access to and from the port of La Cruz via the Martiánez area and the famous tunnel with openings overlooking the Atlantic. Since September 2, this vital connection for communication and the alleviation of traffic congestion in the northern tourist city of Tenerife has been closed, resulting in prolonged and at times interminable queues on the La Paz road which links to this route that leads to the Botanical Garden or towards the beach. Most concerning is the fact that the work aimed at mitigating problems and hazards related to runoff in the ravine of the shepherds lacks the required authorisation from the Insular Water Council, an entity subordinate to the Cabildo itself. Since November 11, this body has been requesting the administration led by CC and PP to supplement the basic project submitted with documentation providing “greater graphic definition” to enable the legalisation of the operation. In fact, it points out “technical deficiencies identified.”
The island council clearly states in its report from November 11 that the channel works are feasible and “likely to be legalised”. However, the surface water department indicates that “they require a greater graphic definition that enables in-depth evaluation of their geometry and other hydraulic aspects, such as the connection to the natural channel and the design proposed for high-speed access from the faux tunnel cover (one of the significant innovations) or the wall for the waters that descend at low speed from the spill lip.”
Last Friday, the PSOE enquired in the Plenary Commission of the Presidency regarding the status of these works and the implications of a five-month closure of a critical road for the economic vitality of the North. The Minister for the Road Area, Dámaso Arteaga (CC), responded that they are “working” with the Water Council to legalise the ongoing works, which are expected to finish by next March. When announcing this intervention, for a total of 613,000 euros, Arteaga had originally set a timeframe of three months from September 3 (the works commenced on that day, just after the road’s closure), which should have concluded in early December.
From the start of December until March… for now
Shortly after, on September 30, and with the usual communication and propaganda tactics adopted since the new alliance between nationalists and conservatives in the Cabildo, island president Rosa Dávila (CC) visited the construction site and emphasised her commitment to resolving the longstanding issues related to runoff, which have often necessitated (especially during heavy rainfall, as Tenerife is currently in a state of water emergency, despite the heightened risks posed by intense and sporadic rain) the road’s closure, at least for one lane. That day, alongside Arteaga, the mayor, Leopoldo Afonso (PP), local spokesperson for CC, Alonso Acevedo, and ACP’s spokesperson, David Hernández, who had previously led a motion of censure against Marco González (PSOE) a month and a half prior, praised the significance of this intervention without mentioning the administrative challenges that are delaying its completion.
Furthermore, the PSOE reproaches the current government for presenting these works and investment as their own, when the initial steps were taken by the previous island government, as the works were encapsulated in the road maintenance contract at the end of 2022. However, the awarding process has been prolonged, affecting around twenty companies. According to the Socialists, this has complicated evaluations, in addition to the appeals lodged. Nevertheless, the project was awarded by the end of 2023, and the contract was formalised and became operational at the start of 2024.
“Total silence from the island government when challenges arise”
The socialist representative in the Cabildo, Aaron Afonso from Puerto, critiques the “traffic chaos” this situation is generating, particularly during peak hours from Monday to Friday, due to the closure of the TF-31, as well as the “absolute silence from the current government, which prefers only to showcase positive headlines while burying its head in the sand like an ostrich when confronted with issues.” He argues that it is unacceptable for there to be an administrative hurdle concerning such an important project in the principal city of Northern Tenerife, and that the Cabildo should now concentrate on legalising its own works, which is not very commendable or exemplary for citizens expected to diligently adhere to the law. “This delay in completing the works is due to the absence of the requisite authorisation from the Insular Water Council, when during the previous term, aims were set to expedite this project, receiving the technical viability report from the Council in 2022, although it was necessary to present a basic project to secure the necessary authorisation,” which remains pending due to these “insufficiencies.” “They did not,” he reiterated, “and now we face these complications in the form of legal issues and traffic jams.”
In response to the PSOE’s claims, the Cabildo Government clarified to the Canary Islands media this afternoon that the delay in these works “is attributable to two adverse weather events that hindered the completion of the work within the anticipated timeframe; therefore, the works will be completed in March. Regarding the road area and the Insular Water Council, it can be stated that coordination is both comprehensive and effective,” although without addressing the legalisation process.
