New La Laguna Pedestrian Bridge Faces Traffic Impact Assessment
The Tenerife Island Council is evaluating the impact of the new Padre Anchieta pedestrian footbridge on traffic flow, with final assessments pending the return of peak academic-year congestion.
The opening of the new pedestrian footbridge at the Padre Anchieta roundabout in La Laguna marks a significant shift in how traffic is managed in the Tenerife metropolitan area. The Island Council is currently monitoring the bridge to measure exactly how much it has eased congestion at one of the island’s busiest transport hubs.
By analyzing data from public transport tracking and road control centers, officials are evaluating whether separating pedestrians from vehicles has successfully improved traffic flow. Early reports suggest that vehicles merging from the TF-5 motorway are moving more efficiently. However, the Council is advising caution with these initial findings, noting that summer traffic—with fewer university students on the road—does not reflect the typical congestion levels seen during the rest of the year.
This bridge was built to solve a long-standing problem: the dangerous mix of pedestrians, buses, and cars at a key junction connecting the university campus to the transport interchange. Previously, this intersection was prone to accidents and constant delays caused by the direct interaction between foot traffic and vehicles.
The Council plans to release an initial technical report in about two weeks. However, a final assessment will only be possible once the academic year resumes and the roundabout returns to its normal, high-pressure traffic levels. Only then will officials have the data needed to confirm if the footbridge has truly succeeded as a long-term solution for road safety and traffic efficiency in La Laguna.