Why is the GC-15 being closed?
The Consejería de Obras Públicas e Infraestructuras, Arquitectura y Vivienda of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria is having unstable slopes on the GC-15 secured. The department is headed by Augusto Hidalgo. The aim is to reduce the risk of rocks and earth slipping onto the carriageway, particularly during heavy rain.
Heavy-duty cranes are being used for the work to lift material to the upper parts of the slope. This is why a full closure is required. Previously, lighter machinery had only affected individual lanes.
The slope stabilisation contract was awarded by the Cabildo to the company Aceinsa. The contract value is 1,002,683 euros, the Cabildo said. The sources say the workers had already been working 'durante 10 meses' at several points on the GC-15 (past tense). They do not give a planned total duration of ten months. The contract was awarded 'hace unos meses'.
Where exactly is the work taking place?
The first work site is at kilometre 21.4 of the GC-15, at the access to Cruz de Tejeda. There, 100 metres of dynamic protective barriers made of nets and posts are being installed against rockfall, Canarias en Pleno reports.
The work then moves to kilometre 24.5, beyond Cruz de Tejeda in the direction of Variante de Tejeda. There, 200 square metres of netting are to be fixed directly to the slope.
The closures take place one after the other: first at kilometre 21.4, then at kilometre 24.5. The work has been ongoing for months at several points on the GC-15 from San Mateo onwards.
Which diversions are in place?
Cruz de Tejeda remains accessible. The diversion route runs via Cueva Grande, the GC-600 and then the GC-150, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria said.
For journeys to Tejeda and Artenara, the GC-150 is given as the diversion. No additional fee, price change or application requirement is mentioned in the available notices.
All road users are affected equally, including residents, non-Spanish residents, hire car customers and day trippers.
Will there be a second closure day?
The closures are due to begin on 7 October. An additional closure day on Thursday, 8 October, also from 9:00 to 15:00, is possible.
Whether the road is closed again on 8 October depends on the progress of work on the first day. The technicians expect to push the work forward and avoid the second closure day.
No final confirmation for the second day is available in the sources consulted. Road users should expect short-notice changes on 8 October.
Which road is the GC-15?
The GC-15, known as the Carretera del Centro, connects Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the Cumbre of Gran Canaria.
Responsibility for a works site in the Cruz de Tejeda section lies with the Cabildo de Gran Canaria. The Gobierno de Canarias and the Cabildo have formed a technical commission to coordinate improvements to the GC-15.
The planning is to be guided by the Plan Territorial Especial del Corredor de Acceso Interior de Gran Canaria. This plan concerns the island's inner access corridor.
What happens after the closure?
The slope stabilisation work on the GC-15 runs for a total of ten months. After the work at kilometres 21.4 and 24.5, further measures at other points along the route are possible.
The Cabildo de Gran Canaria has not yet published a complete calendar for all further closures. The total cost of the stabilisation work on the GC-15 has also not been broken down in detail.
Road users should check current closures before travelling to the Cumbre. The official notices from the Cabildo de Gran Canaria are the authoritative source for this.