Gran Canaria begins urgent repairs to a dozen roads after severe damage caused by Storm Therese

 

The Department of Public Works, Infrastructure, Architecture, and Housing of the Gran Canaria Island Council , under the direction of Vice President Augusto Hidalgo , has launched an emergency plan to repair the roads most affected by the recent Storm Therese . Following this weather event, serious damage has been identified on 21 island roads , necessitating 26 repair projects with an investment exceeding €13 million . The main objective is to restore safety and connectivity to these essential roads for the island.

 

During the days the alert was in effect, the intense rains and winds caused the temporary closure of up to 25 roads in a single day, especially in the south, center, and highlands of Gran Canaria. Among the most affected roads are the GC-60 (Tejeda-Maspalomas) , currently closed near Ayacata due to the collapse of the retaining wall; the GC-608 (La Culata) , where a temporary bypass was set up; the GC-400 (Ariñez); and the GC-550 (Temisas) , all of which have significant damage that severely limits local mobility. In addition, other roads such as the GC-210 (La Aldea-El Parralillo) , GC-200 (access to Tirma) , GC-423 (Cruz del Herrero) , GC-421 (La Yedra in San Mateo) and GC-654 (Risco Blanco in San Bartolomé de Tirajana) have landslides and sinkholes that require immediate intervention.

 

 

The works include complex reconstructions such as drainage and wall replacement on the GC-60, and repairs valued at over one million euros for roads like La Culata and Temisas. Work will also be carried out on the only two unpaved roads: the GC-602 (Ayagaures) and the GC-604 (Las Niñas) , where runoff has eroded the pavement and caused significant landslides. These actions aim to restore safe transit as soon as possible to all areas affected by this road emergency. The emergency roadworks on Gran Canaria include intervention on routes that are strategic for island connectivity. On the GC-505, located in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the damage was caused by the force of the water in the Arguineguín ravine, which swept away safety barriers and lifted part of the pavement. In addition, landslides occurred on slopes that will require further work with an investment of nearly one million euros.

 

On the other hand, the massive landslides during the storm severely affected roads such as the GC-210 (La Aldea-El Parralillo), GC-200 (access to Tirma), GC-423 (Cruz del Herrero), GC-421 (La Yedra in San Mateo), and GC-654 (Risco Blanco). These roads have suffered potholes, subsidence, and total or partial loss of road safety features, requiring urgent repairs to restore their functionality and ensure the safety of road users.

 

The Island Council has emphasized that these repairs aim not only to restore normal traffic flow but also to reinforce infrastructure against future adverse weather events. Coordination between operators and specialized technicians will allow for the gradual return to normal road traffic across the island's network, prioritizing the most damaged roads and those essential for accessing population centers and basic services.