Tenerife Infrastructure Project Sparks Traffic Delays in San Miguel de Abona
Ongoing construction for a new wastewater treatment facility in San Miguel de Abona has caused significant traffic delays for residents and tourists, with disruptions expected to persist until late 2026 despite plans to ease road restrictions next month.
Upgrading water infrastructure in southeast Tenerife is essential for the region's environmental future, but it is causing major headaches for residents in San Miguel de Abona. According to El Día, construction on the new wastewater treatment and pumping station (Etbar) has restricted the main access road to the Amarilla Golf area for more than two years. Projections from the state-owned company Acuaes suggest this disruption will continue until the end of 2026.
The project requires installing large pipes and outfalls, which clashes with the needs of a road vital to the local tourism industry. Traffic lights currently control the flow of vehicles, leading to delays of over ten minutes. This has sparked criticism from the local opposition; Socialist spokesperson Carol Correa has questioned the project's planning, arguing that the quality of a tourist destination depends on efficient access. Her party previously pushed for a comprehensive upgrade of the connection between Las Chafiras and the coast back in 2022.
Acuaes has addressed these concerns, noting that while the full project is scheduled for completion in 2026, they expect to remove the main road diversions next month, allowing traffic to return to normal. The company explained that they have tried to dig outside the roadway whenever possible. Where they were forced to cut into the asphalt, they used temporary concrete seals, with plans to lay permanent pavement once the work is finished.
This project is part of a larger plan to improve sanitation in Arona East and San Miguel, eventually connecting coastal areas to the Montaña Reverón treatment plant. While work continues, Acuaes is reminding drivers that they can use Avenida del Guincho as an alternative route to avoid the construction zone. The situation highlights the ongoing challenge Canarian tourist towns face when trying to modernize essential services without disrupting daily life.