Santa Cruz Trials New Paving in Plaza del Príncipe, Chicharro
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is conducting a three-month trial of a new paving material in Plaza del Príncipe and Plaza del Chicharro to repair hazardous, crumbling pavements.
The capital of Tenerife is tackling the problem of crumbling pavements in two of its main squares, Plaza del Príncipe and Plaza del Chicharro. They are starting a three-month trial to test a new material for the paving slabs. The current slabs are worn out and coming loose, making them a tripping hazard for people walking in these busy shopping and tourist areas.
Carlos Tarife, the Councilor for Public Services, explained that this trial is part of a new construction contract. It has a specific budget of 350,000 euros, taken from a larger 1.2 million euro fund for various projects. He said the pavements are in such bad shape because of all the activity in these squares, including carnival celebrations and other events. Heavy vehicles also drove over them during previous construction nearby, like work on the European University and the Príncipe Paz hotel. Most of the paving slabs are now loose or broken, which is why this fix is so urgent.
The new material being tested is similar to what was used before in the Alameda del Duque. How well it performs during this trial will decide if it's used permanently. The work will focus on the edges of Plaza del Príncipe, but not the dirt area around the central bandstand. It will also cover the area around Plaza del Chicharro. It's important to note that this is not a full renovation of Plaza del Príncipe. A complete overhaul of Plaza del Príncipe, which is a protected historical site (Asset of Cultural Interest), is still being planned by the city council. Because it's a protected site, preserving its history and restoring artistic features makes the process much longer. While the council hopes to start designing this major project this year, actually carrying it out depends on getting the necessary funding.
The new construction contract also covers other city improvements. This includes renovating sidewalks on Eladio Roca Salazar street, costing 141,600 euros, and a section of Méndez Núñez street near the City Hall, which has a budget of 200,000 euros.