Tenerife to Begin Three-Year Expansion of Congested TF-5 Highway

Efforts to ease traffic on the TF-5, one of Tenerife’s busiest roads, are entering their final stage. The regional government is expected to sign a contract within days to expand the section between Guamasa and Los Rodeos Airport, officially starting a three-year construction timeline.

The project, which will cost roughly 10% less than the original 66-million-euro budget, aims to fix a major bottleneck. This stretch of road handles 110,000 vehicles daily, with traffic peaking at 4,500 cars per hour. By adding a third lane toward Santa Cruz, officials expect to increase the road's capacity by 50%.

The plan also involves redesigning the interchanges at Guamasa, San Lázaro, and the airport. A key feature is a new direct route for traffic coming from the north, which will allow airport-bound vehicles to bypass the congested San Lázaro junction.

Once the contract is signed, the construction company will have 30 days to begin work. Because the project involves land managed by the airport authority (Aena), the government must finalize specific agreements and set aside 600,000 euros for land expropriations.

This project is a response to the growing strain on the island’s road network, where heavy traffic remains a significant challenge. By improving traffic flow and separating local and metropolitan routes, the three-year project aims to reduce commute times and improve safety in an area that has historically seen a high number of accidents.