Pope’s Visit to Tenerife to Cause Major Traffic Disruptions on June 12

Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit to Tenerife on Friday, June 12, will lead to major traffic disruptions across the island. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has announced a complex mobility plan to manage the papal entourage, which will significantly affect travel, particularly in the metropolitan area.

Traffic will be managed through "dynamic closures," where lanes will be opened and closed intermittently as the motorcade moves.

TF-5 Motorway Disruptions:

• Toward Santa Cruz: Traffic will be interrupted between kilometer 15 and exit 8A from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and from kilometer 9 to 0 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
• Toward La Laguna: Disruptions are scheduled from kilometer 0 to exit 12 between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Secondary Road Impacts:

• La Esperanza area: Access to the TF-24 and Camino Asfaltado El Matadero will be restricted from 8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• TF-13: Limitations will be in place from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• TF-152 and TF-235: Disruptions are expected between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Additional Restrictions:

• TF-4: From 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the right lane in both directions is reserved exclusively for authorized vehicles and public transport to help manage crowds near the port.
• Freight Vehicles: Trucks over 7.5 tons and vehicles carrying hazardous materials are banned from the TF-1, TF-2, TF-4, and TF-5 between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except for emergency and essential service vehicles.

The DGT has also prepared a contingency plan should poor weather at Tenerife North-Los Rodeos airport force the Pope’s flight to divert to the South airport, which would require an immediate shift in security and traffic routes. To help keep traffic moving, all non-essential roadworks along the planned route have been suspended for the day.