Arona Set for Ambitious Developments
The municipality of Arona, located in the south of Tenerife, is poised to lead some of the most ambitious and significant projects in the coming years. Recently, the Partial Plan for El Mojón has been unlocked, which will facilitate the construction of residences, hotels, and parks, among other developments. Furthermore, the area will also tackle the construction of the southern train line, improvements to the port, and the undergrounding of Avenida Las Chayofitas.
Integrated Planning Essential
In light of these planned projects, the Territorial Planning Councillor, José Miguel Ruano, asserts that “an integrated approach between municipal policies and the Cabildo of Tenerife is necessary” due to the “set of decisions of immense importance” that must be implemented in the coming years.
A New City on the Horizon
The latest development has been the unlocking of the Partial Plan for El Mojón, which envisions the construction of 8,900 tourist beds through four hotels, as well as private housing. Currently, the council is in the process of receiving the partial plan and anticipates obtaining the necessary licences in the coming year. However, the plan must still undergo territorial analysis by the Cabildo of Tenerife to ensure compliance with tourism sector regulations, according to Tourism Councillor, Lope Afonso. The overall plan is expected to require an investment of €4 billion and will significantly impact mobility in the municipality, as the projects included are likely to generate a high level of movement in the area.
Key Mobility Developments
Mobility is therefore a fundamental aspect of the preliminary planning that Ruano advocates. With the push for the southern train line, Los Cristianos will host one of its stations, potentially restructuring part of the traffic flow. The Cabildo is also promoting the construction of a future interchange, which will bring a significant number of works to the surrounding roads. For instance, the island institution is advocating for the partial undergrounding of Avenida Juan Carlos I, which it has requested from the Canary Islands Government, while the Cabildo will handle the undergrounding of Avenida Las Chayofitas. “A set of hugely important decisions requires collaborative work between the Arona City Council, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the Canary Islands Government,” explains Ruano.
This set of decisions also includes those concerning the port of Los Cristianos. Although a decision on expanding the dock has not yet been made, the State plans to develop a new terminal and construct two new parking levels for vehicles. There are also plans to create an underground access to the port area, “aimed at eliminating the left turn that currently congests the entrance and poses a risk to traffic,” according to State information.
