Tenerife’s Highway Lighting Project Set for Completion by 2026
Tenerife’s Island Council has announced that by 2026, the comprehensive lighting of the island’s two major highways—the Northern TF-5 and Southern TF-1—will be completed. Island President Rosa Dávila confirmed the project will be funded either independently or through collaborations with other administrations. “We have a budget of €1.23 billion, the third highest in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, along with €70 million in credit,” she stated. “Lighting these highways is a priority to ensure the safety of thousands of daily drivers.”
Addressing Longstanding Safety Concerns
Highway lighting has been a longstanding demand from drivers, particularly on heavily trafficked sections of the TF-5, where dense traffic, fog, and poor visibility have led to numerous accidents. On the TF-1, nighttime travel through the southern region has also drawn complaints due to extended stretches of low visibility. The council’s goal is to enhance road safety, reduce accidents, and bring infrastructure up to modern mobility standards.
Focus on Critical Sections
The Roads Department, led by Councilor Dámaso, is still finalizing plans but aims to prioritize unlit interchanges on both highways. Certain sections are particularly in need of improvement, such as areas near Tacoronte in the north and the expansive stretch between Fasnia and Arico leading to Güímar’s tunnels in the south.
Additional Infrastructure Upgrades
Beyond lighting, other projects are already underway. On the TF-1, 24 kilometers of road have been resurfaced, with more sections scheduled for work in the coming months. These improvements enhance road grip, reduce noise, and optimize the driving experience. Meanwhile, the TF-5 is undergoing maintenance, with plans to redesign access points in critical areas of the Metropolitan Zone to alleviate bottlenecks.
A standout project is the Padre Anchieta Pedestrian Bridge, expected to open by the next academic year. This will address one of Tenerife’s most notorious traffic blackspots, used daily by 20,000 pedestrians and 100,000 vehicles during school terms.
A Legacy of Connectivity
The TF-5, opened in the 1970s, remains a vital link between the Metropolitan Area and northern Tenerife. Originally designed as an interurban road, it has adapted to the rapid growth of towns like La Laguna, Tacoronte, and La Orotava. The TF-1, constructed in the 1980s, was pivotal in developing southern Tenerife, fueling the tourism boom in Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Adeje. Its expansion has been crucial for supporting Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofía) and the island’s key tourist hubs.
Investing in Safer, Modern Highways
Combined, these highways span over 140 kilometers and handle tens of thousands of vehicles daily, making their modernization a cornerstone of the Island Council’s infrastructure policy. President Dávila emphasized, “Investing in these roads means investing in the lives of those who use them. We will spare no resources to bring Tenerife’s road network into the 21st century.” The lighting project, alongside ongoing upgrades, marks a new era for Tenerife’s transportation system—safer, more efficient, and more modern.
