President Rosa Dávila is optimistic that the first phase of the southern train will be tendered in 2028 after the project is updated.

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 10 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Tenerife Island Council’s Government has approved, in principle, the Sustainable Mobility Plan for Tenerife. This comprehensive strategy represents the largest investment in mobility ever made on the island, amounting to over €5 billion between 2025 and 2035, with participation from the Government of the Canary Islands and the State.

“This document is the cornerstone of the ‘Great Agreement for Mobility’, recently initiated with the establishment of its drafting team, and signals the start of a profound shift towards a more sustainable, efficient, and consensual transport model for Tenerife,” the President stated.

She mentioned that this project prioritises public transport, alleviates traffic congestion, and creates more accessible urban spaces, while simultaneously promoting road safety and respect for the environment.

For Dávila, the extended timeline for plan execution across multiple legislative periods necessitates a significant agreement involving political parties and economic and social stakeholders.

The strategy outlined in the Sustainable Mobility Plan for Tenerife aims to end the chronic congestion of major routes and reduce dependency on private vehicles, as Tenerife has one of the highest motorisation rates in the world, as highlighted by the corporation.

One of the main focuses of the plan is the enhancement of road infrastructure.

A series of interventions has been designed to relieve congestion on major corridors and address historically critical points. Progress is being made towards closing the high-capacity ring around the island with three key sections: San Juan de la Rambla-Icod, Los Realejos-San Juan de Rambla, and El Tanque-Santiago del Teide.

Significant improvements are also planned for the TF-1 and TF-5 routes, with enhancements to the layout from Erques to Santiago del Teide, and the highway being undergrounded in Adeje to reduce its impact on a densely populated area.

In the metropolitan area and northern part of the island, specific actions will be developed, such as the BUS-VAO lane with ITS technology between Guamasa and Los Rodeos Airport, the TF-5 variant to improve access to the airport, and the reactivation of the connection between TF-13 and Mesa Mota via the Gorgorana tunnel, which will ease traffic in La Laguna.

FIRST PHASE OF THE SOUTHERN TRAIN: €950 MILLION

This initial segment, with an estimated cost of €950 million, will link key areas such as the port of Los Cristianos and the Southern Hospital, providing a quick, comfortable, and sustainable alternative to the TF-1.

The northern train is currently in the technical and administrative advance phase, awaiting the results of the international ideas competition.

Dávila has indicated that the southern train project is undergoing updates to accommodate the future Tenerife South Airport, with plans for the train to reach the interior, for which a ‘cavern’ is being designed.

Following this, the Environmental Impact Declaration will need to be processed, as the previous one has expired. The Cabildo aims to tender the first phase by 2028.

In the cultural sector, the Island Government Council approved the modification of the agreement signed with the Town Council of Puerto de la Cruz for funding the cultural project known as ‘El Polvorín’, included in the Cultural Infrastructure Plan 2016-2029.

This measure allows for an extension of the execution and justification deadlines for this project, aiming to provide legal security and technical feasibility.

The end date for execution will be 10 September 2026, with the justification deadline set for 10 November 2026.

This extension will enable the Town Council to properly complete the work and committed supplies without risk of losing funds or facing administrative breaches.