The Southern Business and Professionals Circle of Tenerife (CEST) is urging the Government of the Canary Islands to expedite the tender process for the expansion of the Southern Motorway between San Isidro (Granadilla de Abona) and Playa de Las Américas (Arona). The current stagnation of this project “is suffocating Tenerife’s economy and punishing citizens daily.” Consequently, the CEST demands that the public tender for this work “be carried out immediately” and that, with the start of the new political term, action is unblocked as “promised by the current regional government,” stating that it is “a project that has been trapped in bureaucratic limbo for far too long.”

Javier Cabrera, president of the CEST, denounces that “due to excessive bureaucracy, the complete processing of this project has been delayed for over a year.” Cabrera Amador suggests that “if urgent action is not taken, the timelines of this file could jeopardise the execution of this work, which is vital.” In his view, “it is unacceptable that the sluggishness of the administration continues to condemn southern Tenerife to chronic collapse. Do we need to declare an emergency again?”

Call for Action

The president of the southern business association argues that the TF-1 is “one of the main arteries of our island.” Therefore, Javier Cabrera asserts that “failing to expand this route is jeopardising the present and future of our economy and society. We can no longer afford excuses or delays.”

With such arguments, the Southern Business and Professionals Circle of Tenerife “makes a firm call to the competent administrations” to “act responsibly and give this issue the importance it deserves.” The CEST warns that it will not remain silent “while southern Tenerife is condemned to permanent collapse.”

Impact on Citizens

At this juncture, the CEST indicates that the current situation is causing significant harm across all aspects and “is restricting the mobility of citizens in the South.” While considering that “the delay in solving this problem is hampering Tenerife’s development,” employers highlight “the daily issues faced by thousands of residents and workers, trapped in endless jams that subject them to psychological torture.”

The third lane of the TF-1 between San Isidro and Playa de las Américas is still untendered and must be addressed promptly to avoid the expiration of the environmental impact declaration that affects the entire project, which includes a work that, although already in use, must be completed this year: the new Las Chafiras link.