Tenerife Council Funds €300k Road Safety Studies for Geological Risks

Tenerife's Island Council has started a major project to make its roads safer, especially since they are often affected by natural geological problems. The council has officially approved eight engineering studies, investing over 300,000 euros. These studies will focus on strengthening slopes and embankments along six important roads on the island. This step shows how important it is to deal with risks from Tenerife's volcanic landscape, ongoing sea erosion, and bad weather. These factors have often led to landslides and damaged roads in the past.

The project is divided into eight separate parts, each looking at specific road sections with unique challenges. One key project is studying how to secure the slope above Playa del Arenal in Bajamar. This is on the TF-13 road (between Tejina and Punta del Hidalgo), specifically from kilometer 16.2 to 16.9. This study will cost 64,200 euros and take six months. Another study on the same road will improve safety on the Vía de Ronda, between kilometers 1.5 and 3.7. This will cost 56,710 euros and also take six months. The TF-21 road, which goes through Teide National Park, will get special attention. Two parts of the project will focus on its high-mountain sections, which have large cuts and embankments that need a thorough geological understanding.

Similarly, a study of the ground (geotechnical study) will be done on the TF-82 road near La Vetita in Santiago del Teide. This will cost 17,911 euros and take six months. A coastal part of the TF-134 road, linking El Bailadero with Benijo in Anaga, will undergo a detailed review. The goal is to check and, if needed, redesign or replace the current safety barriers. This will cost 67,410 euros and take six months. The remaining projects include one on the TF-629 in Villa de Arico, costing 17,911 euros and lasting three months. There's also an assessment of the entry points for the old TF-28 route (Taco–Los Cristianos–La Cisnera), which will cost 18,309 euros and take three months.

Rosa Dávila, the president of the Island Council, stressed that these projects are a top priority for the council. Dávila explained that this plan isn't just about quickly fixing known problem areas like the TF-82 in Santiago del Teide or the TF-13 in Bajamar. It also includes checking other parts of the island beforehand to make sure the ground is stable and to reduce future risks. Dámaso Arteaga, the island's Minister of Roads, pointed out that landslides happen often in many of these areas, meaning constant repair work is needed. Arteaga stated that these projects are crucial for planning more accurate work, reducing harm to the environment, and ensuring future construction meets the highest technical and ecological standards.