The President of the Government of the Canary Islands has visited the project "Anillo Insular de Tenerife" (Canary Islands), together with the Minister of Public Works, Transport and Housing of the Government of the Canary Islands.

The highway between Santiago del Teide and El Tanque, which forms part of the Tenerife Island Ring Closure project, carried out by FCC Construcción, is one of the most important projects, in terms of investment, of all those that the Government of Canary Islands. Currently, the Erjos tunnel, 80% completed, is one of the longest tunnels in the Canary Islands, with 5.1 kilometers with two lanes in both directions, and which has already finished 3 kilometers from the south to the north and 1 in the opposite direction. It is the most important work in the history of the Canary Islands.

The new section, which when finished will join the rest of the TF-5, is 11.3 kilometers long and includes the Erjos double tunnel, the longest in the Canary Islands and which enables it to cross the Teno massif. To expedite its excavation, drilling is being carried out simultaneously in the 4 mouths without interruption in a triple work shift until its completion. Drilling is done mainly by blasting and, if the terrain makes it necessary, by mechanical means.

Until now, the aforementioned 80% of the tunnel has been excavated in progress, corresponding to 3,860 meters for the right tube and 3,645 meters for the left tube, with just over two kilometers remaining between the two tubes. The daily excavation advance in each tunnel is 15-20 meters. With these data and this level of work, it is expected that between July and August of this year, 2023, both tunnel tubes will be laid.

This work directly employs 102 workers between operators and specialized personnel who work in three eight-hour shifts, seven days a week. This work also indirectly employs another 204 workers among suppliers, drivers or restaurant staff who serve the workers. The works of the island ring in the section Santiago del Teide and El Tanque began in November 2019 and its completion is expected for March 2025.