pope leo xiv tenerife road closures traffic 12 june

Pope Leo XIV in Tenerife: Full list of road closures and travel advice

Major traffic operation as Pope Leo XIV arrives in Tenerife

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Tenerife on Friday 12 June will see a large-scale traffic management operation activated across the island. Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is advising people to avoid all non-essential journeys, plan any travel well in advance, and use public transport wherever possible.

Roads affected: TF-1, TF-5, TF-24 and more

The main restrictions will be concentrated on several of Tenerife’s key roads, including the TF-1, TF-2, TF-4, TF-5, TF-13, TF-24, TF-152 and TF-235. There will also be limits on goods vehicles, dynamic road closures at various times, and specific measures around Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Friday’s programme begins with the pontiff travelling to Las Raíces, continuing on to La Laguna, and then arriving in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where he will officiate a large open-air Mass at the city’s port. Following the service, the Holy Father will head to Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport to return to Rome.

Traffic authorities are asking the public to check road conditions before leaving home, to set off early if attending any of the planned events, and to use public transport for all journeys.

What are ‘dynamic closures’?

Throughout Friday, dynamic closures are scheduled on various roads across the island. The term refers to traffic restrictions that will be applied on routes for the duration of the papal motorcade’s passage or while the planned events are taking place.

Morning closures: Las Raíces and La Laguna

The first dynamic road closure on Tenerife will take place between 08:45 and 10:00 on the El Matadero paved road, in both directions. During the same time slot, a dynamic closure is also forecast on the TF-24, better known as the Carretera de La Esperanza, in both directions from kilometre point 1.3 to kilometre point 0 (the Padre Anchieta roundabout), with all slip roads closed.

The TF-5 will also be affected. Between 08:45 and 09:30, there will be a dynamic closure in the direction of Santa Cruz, with slip roads closed from kilometre point 15 to exit 8A, that is, from Guamasa to Guajara. Later, between 09:30 and 11:45, another dynamic closure will be applied in the direction of Santa Cruz de Tenerife from kilometre point 9 to kilometre point 0, from the San Lázaro area in La Laguna to the entrance to Santa Cruz.

La Laguna historic centre: TF-13 closures

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the historic centre of La Laguna will also affect access to the municipality. Between 09:15 and 11:30, the DGT forecasts a dynamic closure in both directions of the TF-13, known as the Vía de Ronda, from kilometre point 0 to kilometre point 4.0, near the roundabout. The closures will roughly begin at the roundabout providing access to Guajara and extend to the Caminero roundabout, which leads to the Camino de Las Mercedes in La Laguna.

This measure coincides with the event the pontiff will celebrate in the Plaza del Cristo de La Laguna, focusing on hospitality, integration and the reality of migration. During this time slot, delays or diversions may also occur on roads near the historic centre. Anyone who needs to travel through La Laguna is advised to avoid using a car, to bring forward or delay their journeys, and to follow instructions from the local police, the Civil Guard traffic division, and emergency services.

Post-Mass restrictions: Santa Cruz port and northward routes

The traffic operation will continue after the Mass, which Pope Leo XIV will preside over at the dock of Santa Cruz de Tenerife port. Between 13:00 and 14:30, a dynamic closure will be applied on the TF-5 in the northbound direction, from kilometre point 0 to exit 12, which connects with the TF-152, the Carretera General de Norte.

During the same time slot, dynamic closures are forecast in both directions on the TF-152, from kilometre point 3 to kilometre point 4.500. Restrictions will also apply between kilometre point 4.500 on the TF-152 and kilometre point 2.300 on the TF-235, the road from Los Rodeos to the Golf Course. The TF-235 will also be affected between kilometre points 2.300 and 0.500, again between 13:00 and 14:30.

Freight vehicle ban on major motorways

In addition to the dynamic closures, the DGT has established restrictions for goods vehicles. The measure will generally affect goods vehicles or combinations of vehicles, whether loaded or not, with a maximum authorised mass or maximum combined mass of more than 7,500 kilograms. The ban will be in force on Friday 12 June between 06:00 and 18:00, in both directions on several main roads: the Autopista del Sur (TF-1) between kilometre points 0.000 and 59.000; the Autopista de Santa María del Mar a Las Chumberas (TF-2) between kilometre points 0.000 and 5.203; the Vía de Penetración Sur (TF-4) between kilometre points 1.180 and 3.847; and the Autopista del Norte (TF-5) between kilometre points 1.465 and 39.499.

The restriction also applies to vehicles transporting dangerous goods that are required to display orange warning panels in accordance with ADR regulations. In this case, the roads and times affected are the same.

Exempt from these restrictions are emergency vehicles, breakdown and recovery vehicles on public roads, and certain special vehicles when their movement is urgent and essential for reasons of safety, environmental protection, road maintenance, or rescue services.

TF-4 to be used as official parking zone

During Friday, the right-hand lane of the TF-4 (Vía de Penetración) in both directions will be removed from general traffic to be used as a parking area for reserved and authorised vehicles, primarily buses. This measure will be in force between 06:00 and 18:00 and will be appropriately signed and marked with barriers and cones.

The TF-4 will be one of the most important routes in the operation due to its proximity to the Santa Cruz area and the port complex where the papal Mass will be held. Authorities recommend that those attending the events use the designated parking areas and avoid parking in unauthorised locations or near the official routes.

Public transport is the best option

Public transport is the best way to get around Tenerife during Pope Leo XIV’s visit. The forecast of closures, restrictions and delays means using a private car could prove particularly difficult on the approaches to La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Anyone planning to travel by bus (guagua) or tram should check timetables, stops and any service modifications in advance. The DGT advises planning journeys well ahead and allowing generous time margins, especially if attending the Mass at Santa Cruz port or the preliminary events in La Laguna. High demand for buses and trams is expected on the day, so people are advised to arrive at stops early, follow the instructions of transport staff, and keep an eye on official announcements.

Which roads to avoid

The roads to avoid during the day are the TF-5, due to movements between La Laguna, Santa Cruz and the airport; the TF-13, because of its connection with the event in the La Laguna historic centre; and the TF-4, which will be used for parking official vehicles. Restrictions will also be in place on the TF-1, TF-2, TF-24, TF-152 and TF-235, especially during times linked to official journeys.

Real-time traffic information

The DGT will provide real-time information on road conditions, any incidents and alternative routes through its official channels. Drivers can consult the DGT website, its social media profiles, radio traffic bulletins, and the 011 telephone information line. Traffic authorities warn that all measures may be modified, lifted or extended depending on how the visit unfolds, security requirements, and actual traffic conditions. Additional restriction points may also be established if necessary.

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