Tenerife Council Dispels "Rust" Fears on New Walkway

The Tenerife Island Council has responded to concerns on social media about what looked like rust on the new Padre Anchieta pedestrian walkway in La Laguna. The walkway isn't open yet, and photos of the supposed rust worried local residents and people who use the area often.

However, the visible marks on parts of the structure are not rust, according to Dámaso Arteaga, the Island Councillor for Roads. Speaking to COPE Tenerife, he firmly stated, "We can emphatically say that the walkway is not rusted. Not at all." This was his clear response to the social media comments.

Councillor Arteaga explained on the radio that the images show welding joints that haven't received their final treatment yet. This is because recent bad weather has made it impossible. "The few breaks in the rain over the last two months have stopped us from applying the necessary treatments and the final coat of paint to those joints," he clarified.

He added that the rest of the walkway already has its protective treatments. He reassured the public, saying, "There is no need to worry at all; nothing is wrong with the walkway."

Meanwhile, the Island Council confirmed that the walkway's installation is now in its final stage. This week, workers installed one of the five remaining sections needed to connect the pedestrian ring with the La Laguna Interchange. This work was done at night, with Councillor Arteaga overseeing it directly.

"We are now in the final phase of the work, which is progressing smoothly and on schedule," the councillor stated in a note from the institution. He also confirmed that the project "has passed all technical quality and safety checks."

The section installed measures 20 meters long, six meters wide, and weighs about 22 tons. It's part of the complete pedestrian ring that will stretch over one of Tenerife's busiest roundabouts.