The Cabildo of La Gomera has begun emergency works to restore the TF-712 road, which connects Vallehermoso with its coast, with an investment of €989,215. The work, which will last eight months, aims to repair the damage caused by Storm Therese.
The Cabildo of La Gomera has initiated emergency works to rehabilitate the TF-712 road, a key route linking the urban centre of Vallehermoso with the coastal area of the municipality. The project, budgeted at €989,215, has an estimated execution period of eight months and responds to the serious damage caused by landslides following Storm Therese.
The works will focus on a three-kilometre stretch, where slope stabilisation, reinforcement of retaining walls, restoration of the damaged surface, and installation of dynamic barriers and other protective systems against new landslides will be carried out. Additionally, continuous geotechnical monitoring will be conducted due to the complexity of the terrain.
The TF-712 is a strategic infrastructure for Vallehermoso, as it connects the urban core with the beach, the maritime park, agricultural operations, and numerous homes along the coast. The heavy rains from Storm Therese forced traffic restrictions and created risk situations for residents and visitors.
The president of the Cabildo, Casimiro Curbelo, highlighted that the project aims to recover an essential connection and strengthen the response capacity of island infrastructures against extreme weather phenomena. "It is a necessary work to ensure the safety and mobility of the residents," he stated.
The councillor for Public Works, Cristina Ventura, explained that the technical solutions will be adapted to the characteristics of each section to ensure greater stability and durability of the road. "We have designed a tailored intervention, with active and passive protection systems," she affirmed.
For his part, the mayor of Vallehermoso, Emiliano Coello, valued the start of works that are "much awaited" by the public and emphasised the importance of recovering a road that is fundamental for daily mobility and the economic activity of the municipality. "It is a vital route for farmers, coastal residents, and tourism," he indicated.
This project is part of a package of four emergency works promoted by the Cabildo to repair road infrastructures damaged by Storm Therese, with a total investment exceeding €7.9 million. Furthermore, it is integrated into the island recovery plan, whose total cost exceeds €42.7 million aimed at restoring essential infrastructures and improving La Gomera's resilience against future adverse weather events.
The residents of Vallehermoso have welcomed the start of the works, which will restore normalcy to a road that has been partially closed for months. "It is a relief to know that it is finally being fixed, because every day was a risk," commented a resident of the coastal area.
The works also include cleaning ditches and repairing drainage systems to prevent water accumulation that could cause new landslides. Technicians will work during daylight hours to minimise disruptions to traffic, although occasional closures are expected during the most critical phases.
Storm Therese, which hit the Canary Islands in the winter of 2025, caused significant damage to several roads in La Gomera. The Cabildo has prioritised the routes with the greatest impact on the population, such as the TF-712, which serves hundreds of people and banana and vineyard agricultural operations.
With this investment, the island institution aims not only to repair the damage but also to prevent future incidents by installing dynamic barriers and improving containment systems. "We want the road to be safer than before," assured Curbelo.
The eight-month timeline places the completion of the works at the end of 2026, weather permitting. In the meantime, an alternative detour will be maintained to ensure the connection between Vallehermoso and its coast, albeit with longer travel times.
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