Tenerife's TF-5 Highway Still Gridlocked, Commuters Dispute Official Claims
Tenerife commuters dispute claims of improved traffic on the TF-5 highway, citing daily congestion and calling for a "mobility emergency" declaration to implement immediate solutions.
Drivers on the TF-5 highway say they're still stuck in terrible traffic every day, especially during rush hour. Despite the Tenerife Island Council's claims that traffic has eased up thanks to new measures, commuters on the northern highway disagree.
"It's the same old story," one regular driver said. Another mentioned that the area around the airport in La Laguna is "extremely congested," particularly around 4 PM. Many Tenerife residents share the frustration, saying it's impossible to get to work or appointments on time.
Juan Violán, a spokesperson for the Alisios Norte association, told Buenos Días Canarias that the situation is "increasingly unsustainable" and called for a mobility emergency to be declared on the island.
Violán believes some quick fixes could help. He suggested staggering start times at the University of La Laguna (which is already partially in place), extending hours at public hospitals to spread out traffic in the mornings, and allowing civil servants who don't directly serve the public to work flexible or hybrid schedules, like they did during the pandemic.
He also stressed the need for a public awareness campaign on basic driving rules, as many people seem to treat the left lane as the slow lane.
Residents emphasize that the traffic jams are a daily occurrence and have gotten worse in recent months, despite official reports suggesting improvements.
Alisios Norte wants the third lane of the TF-5 to be extended beyond the Guamasa-Los Rodeos section, all the way from Icod to the Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna airport.
Violán stated that the Tenerife Island Council and the Canary Islands Government owe the north better infrastructure and need to invest more to solve this problem.
The group insists that declaring a "mobility emergency" is essential to implement short-term solutions immediately, while longer-term projects like the tram to the airport, the northern train, and the full third lane are being developed.
Violán concluded that traffic improves significantly when schools are closed, suggesting that other immediate actions could also make a difference.