The ongoing construction work on the TF-31, which serves as one of the primary access points to the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz (specifically via the Martiánez tunnel), aims to address the drainage issues afflicting this route. This road often faces closures during heavy rainfall due to the torrent of water from the Los Pastores ravine, along with incidents of landslides.
This has been a long-standing issue in the tourist city, which inconveniently restricts both drivers and pedestrians from using one of the key access routes to the municipality, posing safety risks.
The project, which has a budget of 600,000 euros, commenced on September 16 and is anticipated to be finalised by the year’s end. This information was conveyed yesterday by Rosa Dávila, the president of the Tenerife Cabildo, who visited the location to review the progress of the work, accompanied by insular Minister of Highways, Dámaso Arteaga, the mayor, Leopolfo Afonso, several municipal officials, and technicians.
Dávila highlighted that this is a “complex” technical project, but it will resolve the safety issues that currently plague this island route, “which poses risks for the 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles and pedestrians that travel here, depending on the stretch and season,” she elaborated.
Dámaso Arteaga clarified that the project involves “constructing a reinforced concrete frame to redirect water away from the road and the adjacent pedestrian walkway, ensuring that the roadway remains unaffected.”
Road Closures
Given its complexity, the operation necessitates a complete closure of the access route via Martiánez until the work is completed to ensure public safety. In this respect, he requested the cooperation of local residents to refrain from using this route during the construction period and to adhere to the signs and regulations. “We will endeavour to expedite the work, but certainly, some projects take a certain duration, and it is complicated to hasten them without compromising the safety of workers or the integrity of the project itself,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he noted that this site is particularly unique as workers “will be operating in close proximity to a house adjacent to the outlet of the ravine.”
For the downhill lane leading to Puerto de la Cruz via Martiánez, access will be restricted from the 2+600 kilometre mark, redirecting traffic to the La Paz area. Meanwhile, the uphill lane towards the TF-5 at the 4+400 point will see traffic rerouted along Avenida Aguilar y Quesada.
The undertaking began with the installation of 24 micropiles extending approximately 30 metres deep, which will form the basis for the concrete frame. This will encompass a foundation slab 1 metre deep across the total area and two support walls. The inner wall (mountain side) will rise to 8.5 metres, with a depth of 80 centimetres, while the outer wall (sea side) will be 6.5 metres high, with a depth of 60 centimetres. Both walls will be positioned one metre above the existing pavement level.
The ceiling slab will be 80 centimetres thick, featuring a water channel with a free width of 8.10 metres and a height of 1.5 metres. The connection between this channel and the superior channel will be executed while honouring the existing slope’s topography, which has been cleared beforehand. Following the completion of the essential works to manage the ravine’s flow, the asphalt surface and road markings will be renewed prior to reopening to traffic.
Impact on the Area
The mayor expressed gratitude to the Cabildo of Tenerife for their “promptness” in addressing an essential project for the municipality, which will bring an end to “a historical issue regarding the drainage that occurs on this road, leading to significant mobility and traffic problems over the decades.”
