Santa Cruz de Tenerife Overhauls Traffic Lights to Meet New National Safety Standards
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is investing over 260,000 euros to overhaul its traffic light infrastructure by 2027 to comply with new national safety regulations that eliminate flashing amber lights at pedestrian crossings.
New national traffic regulations that took effect on October 1 have prompted Santa Cruz de Tenerife to overhaul its road infrastructure. To improve pedestrian safety, the City Council is updating its traffic light network to remove the flashing amber light phase at crosswalks.
Evelyn Alonso, head of the Department of Mobility, announced that 262 separate projects are required to meet these new standards. The initiative, which has a budget of over 260,000 euros, will be carried out in five phases through mid-2027. So far, 13 of the 156 planned intersections have been updated, leaving 143 priority locations remaining.
The work will vary depending on the location. Some areas, such as Avenida Benito Pérez Armas and the Intercambiador, will only require software updates. Other busier roads, including Avenida La Salle, Reyes Católicos, and Camino del Hierro, will require more extensive construction. Major intersections like Plaza Weyler, Avenida Tres de Mayo, and La Rambla will undergo a mix of digital and physical changes.
The City Council is still evaluating the necessary work for Marítima, Anaga, and Constitución avenues. The overall goal of these changes is to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic more clearly by removing confusing turn arrows and ensuring that drivers no longer see a flashing amber light while pedestrians have a green signal. These updates are essential to bring the capital’s traffic system in line with national safety standards set by the Directorate-General for Traffic.