Tenerife’s Erjos Tunnel Nears Completion, Set to Open Early Next Year

The Tenerife Island Ring, one of the archipelago’s most ambitious engineering projects, is nearing completion. The section connecting Santiago del Teide and El Tanque is expected to open in the first quarter of next year. The project, led by a joint venture of FCC Construcción, Syocsa-Inarsa, and El Silbo, has already seen 202.2 million euros of its 288.7 million euro budget spent.

This new road is a vital step in reorganizing traffic on the island. By replacing the current TF-82, it will directly link the TF-1 and TF-5 highways, easing congestion in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna metropolitan areas. Officials expect about 17,000 vehicles to use the road daily in its first year, with the potential to grow to 30,000—a significant increase over original projections from the late 1980s.

The centerpiece of the project is the Erjos tunnel. At over 5,000 meters long, it is the longest tunnel in the Canary Islands. Building it was a major logistical feat, requiring 24-hour shifts and controlled blasting. Following the completion of excavation in October 2024, crews are now focused on finishing touches and safety upgrades. These include a new solar power plant that will provide over half of the tunnel's electricity and eco-friendly construction techniques designed to lower the project's carbon footprint.

The project has faced its share of legal hurdles. A 2024 court ruling regarding the bidding process threatened to stall progress, but the regional government reached a 13.78 million euro compensation agreement to keep the work moving and protect the public interest.

Beyond the engineering, the project has created 50 direct and 110 indirect jobs. Once open, the tunnel will cut travel times between the north and south of the island to just seven to ten minutes, significantly improving connectivity and boosting the local economy.