Culminación de la estructura central del Gran Anillo Peatonal del Padre Anchieta tras histórica operación logística

The Tenerife Cabildo has completed the installation of the central structure of the Gran Anillo Peatonal del Padre Anchieta in just 10 months, a key project to improve pedestrian mobility and safety in La Laguna. The placement of module 11 marks a milestone in the execution of this project, which will be completed after the summer and has required one of the most complex logistical and engineering operations ever carried out in the Canary Islands.

Tenerife’s Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila, was joined by various officials during the visit to the ring on February 20, including the island’s vice president, Lope Afonso; the Road Councilor, Dámaso Arteaga; the Mobility Councilor, Eulalia García; the Youth and Training Councilor, Serafín Mesa; the Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez; and other local authorities.

Rosa Dávila highlighted the logistical challenges involved in transporting and assembling the colossal structure of the Gran Anillo Peatonal del Padre Anchieta. This meticulous process included 12 maritime shipments from the Port of Seville, transporting a total of 525 tons of steel. The components, some as long as 50 meters and weighing over 40 tons, were transported by road from the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife at night to minimize traffic impact, with close coordination with local authorities.

The installation of the central structure required the use of heavy cranes and highly specialized technical teams, including certified welders, structural engineers, and skilled metal infrastructure assemblers. This rigorous process ensured the precise alignment of the 11 modules that make up the ring.

Rosa Dávila became the first to walk the ring and expressed satisfaction at the record time it took to complete the Padre Anchieta footbridge, emphasizing its importance in enhancing safety and solving traffic issues. The goal of reducing wait times in the roundabout by 20% after the inauguration is aimed at improving traffic flow and enhancing safety for both drivers and pedestrians, according to Dávila.

Furthermore, she added that this project will not only modernize mobility in the metropolitan area but also enhance the urban image of La Laguna and position Tenerife as a leader in innovative and sustainable infrastructure.

Luis Yeray Gutiérrez noted that the completion of the ring represents a significant achievement for the community of La Laguna, addressing a key traffic bottleneck and providing relief for pedestrian traffic at the city entrance.

Dámaso Arteaga detailed that the central structure’s design, weighing 525 tons, is based on a continuous curved metal ring beam. This ring has a diameter of 100 meters and a total length of 314 meters, equivalent to the alignment of three football fields.

The Gran Anillo Peatonal project, with an investment of 10 million euros, aims to reorganize traffic in the busy Padre Anchieta roundabout, where over 50,000 vehicles and 20,000 pedestrians, mostly university students, converge daily, causing traffic congestion and safety risks.

The Padre Anchieta pedestrian ring has been designed under the highest standards of universal accessibility, ensuring comfortable and safe transit for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. Collaborating closely with SINPROMI, a leading accessibility entity, the project incorporates solutions to facilitate movement and enhance pedestrian safety.

The project also includes a comprehensive urban transformation, with new sidewalks, relocation of the Padre Anchieta statue, and the creation of a garden square at the Faculty of Biology. The infrastructure will integrate with the La Laguna Transport Interchange, enhancing connectivity between different modes of transportation and creating an accessible and functional space for the community.

The next phase involves constructing access points to connect the ring with strategic locations in La Laguna, facilitating pedestrian mobility and integration with public transport. The North Access, located on Avenida de la Trinidad, will link the existing ramp with the main footbridge, requiring four special transports for its installation scheduled for March 2025.

The East Access, connecting directly to the La Laguna Transport Interchange, will consist of a ramp, stairs, and direct connection to the footbridge. Its construction, involving the transportation of 200 tons of structure in nine special transports, is planned from March to May 2025. The South Access, known as Loop, will add 160 tons of structure and require six special transports for installation, scheduled for April 2025, completing the ring’s access network.

Upon completing these access points, final works will be carried out to launch the infrastructure, including applying anti-slip treatments on the footbridge floor, removing existing pedestrian crossings, and integrating the surrounding area with the environment.

With the completion of these phases, the Gran Anillo Peatonal del Padre Anchieta will be fully operational for the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, establishing itself as a benchmark in sustainable mobility and pedestrian safety in Tenerife.

The Gran Anillo Peatonal del Padre Anchieta represents an innovation in engineering and mobility, establishing itself as one of the most advanced pedestrian infrastructures in Europe. Designed by Fhecor Ingenieros Consultores, the structure consists of a continuous curved ring beam supported by strategically located points to minimize impact on existing roads. The design includes ramps, stairs, and an elevator, ensuring universal accessibility and creating a new urban space of quality that integrates functionality and aesthetics in the La Laguna environment.

Rising up to six meters above the roundabout, the footbridge allows pedestrian traffic without interference from road traffic, improving safety and flow in one of Tenerife’s busiest road junctions. Its height also facilitates integration with the rest of the road infrastructure, ensuring efficient and accessible connection with the city’s main access points.

The ring’s design has been recognized with the 2019 National Innovation and Design Awards, highlighting its contribution to sustainable urban mobility. Its author, engineer José Romo, has an international track record in large infrastructure development, including involvement in the Gordie Howe International Bridge, North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge.

FUENTE