The mayors of La Guancha, Antonio Hernandez (PP); San Juan de la Rambla, Ezequiel Domínguez (PSOE), and Icod de los Vinos, Francis González (CC), value that this new phase of the Insular Ring is processed, but they have different points of view and provide some nuances that have to do with the procedure followed or with the planned connections. The most satisfied of all is the Guanchero president, since with this new highway several problems that last decades are solved at one stroke.
Antonio Hernandez underlines the importance that La Guancha will finally have safe access for all types of vehicles from the TF-5. The great link provided by the project, above Las Crucitas, will make it possible to forget the dangerous and uncomfortable crossing of the TF-5 with the TF-352, through the ascent to the Insular Solid Waste Plant (PIRS) . Having a safe road and access will also serve to make the project of the La Yegua industrial estate, pending development since 2001.
In the opinion of Antonio Hernández, “it is one of the best news we have received in a long time. From La Guancha we had been demanding for many years the development of this phase of the Insular Ring on the margin of the section between Los Realejos and San Juan de la Rambla, which is the most complicated from an environmental point of view. This part is a simpler road with less social and environmental impact, so it made no sense to continue delaying it longer.
“This part is a simpler road with less social and environmental impact, so it made no sense to continue delaying it longer”
“It is excellent news that this project is finally beginning to move forward, but we are aware that there is still a long way to go. The connection between San Juan de la Rambla and Icod de los VinosBut it should not be forgotten that most of it runs through the municipality of La Guancha, which will greatly benefit from this road infrastructure, ”emphasizes the leader of the Popular Party.
The Guanchero Government trusts that “there are no obstacles to stop” those who have been demanding for so many years and hopes that the works can begin “as soon as possible.” His wish is that the works begin in the year 2022. “We believe that it will mean a before and after in the development of La Guancha and the entire region,” emphasizes the mayor.
For Hernández, when this section of road is opened to traffic “it will be a revolution”, the impact of which will go beyond improvements in circulation: “There are island roads that will cease to be so and that will generate an important benefit in nuclei such as Santa Catalina and Santo Domingo, whose development will no longer be blocked. There are many areas in which practically nothing can be done in the houses due to the affectation of island roads and that will change. It will also be possible, for example, improve the pedestrian connection between Santo Domingo and the nuclei of Chipude and Las Cucharas, which were isolated since the construction of the TF-5 tunnel ».
Antonio Hernandez stands in solidarity with the demands of the neighboring municipality of San Juan de la Rambla and shows its support for Ezequiel Dominguez: «Obviously, the La Rambla area deserves and needs safe access and I am sure that this demand can be met».
The mayor of icodense, Francis González (CC), underlines that the promoters of this update of the project have all the legitimacy, but regrets that “the commitment to agree” on its content with the affected mayors was not fulfilled. In his opinion, “the desirable thing is that the municipalities had been more involved in planning.” And he remembered that when it was necessary to cut the TF-5 To carry out emergency actions for the landslides, “the mayors had patience and we all went to one. They told us that they would consult us and at least with Icod they have not counted. I don’t know if it has been like that with everyone. We expected a previous discussion and not that this would go directly to public exposure.
González does appreciate that a new step be taken and, at the same time, demands that the last pending phase of the Insular Ring in the north of Tenerife be not forgotten: the section between Los Realejos and Las Aguas, in San Juan de la Rambla. In his opinion, «you have to prioritize now and put on the table what is going to be done between Los Realejos and San Juan de la Rambla to ensure that the system works, but without major environmental damage.
«It is essential that the Insular Ring has continuity and that last section should not be delayed. In addition, the question arises as to whether the technicians are already clear on how they are going to continue between San Juan de la Rambla and Los Realejos. That connection must be planned immediately, “he insists. Furthermore, he asks that «no one come now to present themselves as saviors of anything, since the problems with the roads in this region and on this island are the result of the State’s failure to comply with the Canary Islands. And that is a responsibility of all the parties that have governed in Spain. Without the necessary funding, no one can resolve outstanding issues. ‘
“Let no one come now to present themselves as a savior of anything, since the problems with the roads in this region and on this island are the result of the State’s failure to comply with the Canary Islands”
The technicians of the Icod de los Vinos Town Hall They are currently analyzing the technical project for the stretch between Las Aguas and Buen Paso to determine whether or not it is necessary to present some allegations. Especially in relation to connections with existing roads.
The San Juan de la Rambla Town Hall It is clear that it will present allegations so that the junction of the nucleus of El Rosario or La Rambla, on the local coast, is included in this section of the Insular Ring or that it be resolved in the way that was planned since 2016, with a system of new entry and exit lanes, budgeted at around 3.2 million euros.
The mayor ramblero, Ezequiel Domínguez (PSOE), says that although the new tunnels will begin to be drilled at the height of the Las Aguas pool, «at this moment the lto improve access to La Rambla, so that this part of the municipality does not remain in no man’s land ». Remember that your city council has demanded “for many years” a solution to this black point of road safety, “for which there has been a technical solution that has been outlined for five years now.”
“La Rambla (El Rosario) cannot stay in no man’s land”
Domínguez points out that the TF-5 is “a highway of regional interest” and requests that this old demand be included, “which should already be executed.” Except for this issue, the Socialist president has a good concept of the proposed project: “Access from the old town of San Juan de la Rambla to the new road is guaranteed and, at the same time, we are allowed to gain in quality of life.” Staying on the sidelines of the new highway, which would run further south than the current TF-5, “can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it,” according to Domínguez. However, the president is of the opinion that the old town “will be able to grow without the restrictions imposed by the current island highway and, in addition, it will be won in tranquility and attractiveness».
The Official Gazette of the Canary Islands (BOC) published on November 11 the start of the 30-day process of public exposure and information to administrations, entities and interested persons of the expected project to close the Insular Ring between San Juan de la Rambla and Icod de los Vinos, with a total cost of 175 million euros. The new road has three tunnel sections of 975, 826 and 320 meters in length, which will cost 48 million euros.
