The area of highways Council of Tenerife announces the start, as of this Sunday, March 13, 2022, of the surface rehabilitation work on the pavement by the TF-21 roadas it passes through the municipal limits of Santa Ursula and La Orotava. In total, almost five thousand meters will be intervened, specifically in different sections between kilometer points 0 and 4.7, among which is «a major commercial artery for both municipalities in the north of the island”, as detailed from the insular area.
The Island Director of Highways, Tomás Félix Garcíaexplains that “the works will be carried out at night, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to reduce discomfort to road users. This Sunday’s intervention begins in the municipality of La Orotava, between kilometer points 4.40 and 5.10, specifically between the roundabout of the Opuntia urbanization, in the area of the old Recodo, and the roundabout of La Florida. In addition, an alternative route will be enabled to divert traffic while the works are in progress.
The First Vice President and Councilor for Highways, Enrique Arriaga (Cs)adds that “the action contemplates the rehabilitation of a section of almost five kilometers and that 30% of the asphalt will be made with recycled material contributing in this way to reduce the carbon footprint and the consumption of aggregates». In addition, he points out that the improvement of pedestrian areas, the conditioning of bus stops and the ordering of the margins of this road will be carried out ».
Thomas Felix Garcia It adds that the area to be rehabilitated is used by “an average of 11,000 vehicles per day and is one of the areas that concentrates the highest density of traffic on the route of this island road.” The works are expected to be completed within a period of about five months, around next August. The island authorities add that “thanks to the reuse of material, both cost savings and energy efficiency, environmental care and safety will be favored.”
Criticism for cutting down trees
Assembly for La Orotava has recently criticized that this pavement improvement project involves the removal of 11 trees from the TF-21 road, in the municipality of La Orotava, of which at least two will be transplanted to the Opuntia park. This party remembers that after his speech, along with the Table of the Tree of La Orotava, «It was possible that of the 26 trees that would initially be felled, the figure was reduced to 11». However, they understand that the cost-benefit of the intervention “is negative”, and insist that “the road safety argument is not enough to eliminate a dozen trees over 40 years old. We have already presented our proposals to the Council of Tenerife, such as the reduction of speed, the placement of soundtracks, reflective elements, among others». In addition, they regret that this action “does not guarantee the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.”
