Tenerife Council Proposes Smart Bus-HOV Lane to Ease TF-5 Traffic Congestion

Traffic in northern Tenerife is set for a major change, as the Tenerife Island Council has opened a public consultation for a new "smart" Bus-HOV lane on the TF-5. This project aims to tackle the area's chronic traffic jams along a 9.7-kilometer stretch between Santa Cruz and Los Rodeos using Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Projections suggest the 6.2-million-euro project will significantly improve traffic flow, cutting travel times by 50% for those heading uphill and 21% for those heading downhill. The plan involves using the left lane exclusively for buses, taxis, motorcycles, and high-occupancy vehicles during peak hours. Outside of these times, the lane will return to normal use. The system will use cameras, digital signs, and lights to adjust to real-time traffic conditions, helping to manage the more than 100,000 vehicles that use the road daily.

This initiative is part of a wider effort to encourage public transport and carpooling. The public can review the technical plans and submit feedback until April 17, a necessary step before the project goes to tender.

Meanwhile, the Governing Council has also approved plans to resurface the TF-82 between El Tanque and Los Silos. This 2.9-million-euro project will improve safety on a road used by over 11,000 vehicles every day. The seven-month plan includes repaving the road and upgrading drainage, signs, and safety barriers. Like the TF-5 project, these plans are open for public comment for 20 days before final approval.