The Tinajo Senior Center was the setting this Wednesday for the 6th Island Public Works Roundtable, presided over by the Councilor for Public Works, Roads and Highways of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Jacobo Medina, and which was attended by the technical managers of the island area, as well as representatives of the island's seven town councils.
The meeting, conceived as a space for work, coordination, and dialogue, allowed for reviewing the current state of the island's road network, sharing the priorities of each municipality, and advancing a common strategy to address the mobility and conservation challenges posed by Lanzarote's growth.
During his speech, Jacobo Medina announced that the Cabildo of Lanzarote will allocate more than 15 million euros in 2026 to maintenance, improvement, and conservation work on roads, a historic investment that reinforces the island government's commitment to road safety, sustainability, and the modernization of public infrastructure.
The councilor emphasized that "this unprecedented investment is the result of rigorous planning and the priority that the current governing group has given to the Public Works area as an engine of social and territorial transformation.""This investment of more than fifteen million euros is not an isolated figure, but the result of a strategic vision: to improve mobility, guarantee the safety of users, and maintain the island's roads in optimal condition. Infrastructure is the backbone of development, and this budgetary effort will mark a before and after in the island's road network," Medina said.
The planned scheme includes the integral rehabilitation of deteriorated sections, the reinforcement of surfaces, the improvement of vertical and horizontal signage, the cleaning of verges, drainage, and the landscaping of roads. It also contemplates the execution of new lighting, roundabout, and access projects, seeking not only functionality but also the aesthetic and environmental integration of the island's road network.
In this regard, the councillor announced that in the coming months the road maintenance contract and the verge maintenance contract will be renewed, which will provide more material, technical and human resources. These new contracts will include clauses on quality, preventive maintenance and sustainability, guaranteeing a more agile, modern and environmentally friendly service.
"With the renewal of these contracts, the Cabildo will be able to act more quickly in the face of any incident and offer constant maintenance of the entire network. Lanzarote needs an agile and professional response that matches the island's growth, and that requires planning, investment and a solid structure," added the councilor.
In parallel, Medina announced the promotion of the most ambitious plan to improve the island's road network in recent years, which will include actions on roads that run through different municipalities. This plan seeks to strengthen connectivity, reduce travel times, and increase road safety, in coordination with the City Councils and with a balanced territorial vision.
"We are designing a comprehensive plan that not only repairs but transforms. We want a road network that connects better, is safer, and reflects the image of a modern, well-maintained, and sustainable island," he stated.
During the meeting, the Lanzarote Bike Experience project was also presented, a strategic initiative promoted by the Department of Public Works that will allow for the planning and coordination of the development of bike lanes throughout the island. The project establishes a detailed diagnosis of existing cycling infrastructures and defines the areas where new routes will be created in the medium and long term, connecting municipalities, tourist areas, and natural spaces.
"Lanzarote is a European benchmark in sports tourism, especially in cycling. With this project, we are taking another step to consolidate that position, guaranteeing safe and quality infrastructure that promotes active mobility, sustainability, and the tourist attraction of the island," Medina highlighted.
Another issue addressed was the approval of the guidelines for the Public Works Awards 2026, awards that will recognize the work and innovation of technicians, institutions, and professionals linked to the field of engineering, architecture, and public management. The annual awards will highlight best practices in sustainability, efficiency, and design of public projects, consolidating a culture of recognition and excellence within the sector.
"We want to highlight the importance of good public works: those that are planned with criteria, those that respect the environment, and those that improve people's lives. These awards will be a tribute to all the professionals who contribute to Lanzarote moving forward with a firm step," the councilor pointed out.
The VI Island Council Meeting also allowed for the evaluation of the progress of the framework agreement for drafting projects, a technical cooperation tool that the Cabildo has made available to the City Councils to expedite the drafting and processing of public works projects. This instrument makes it possible to optimize resources and ensure that all municipalities, regardless of their size or administrative capacity, can execute works with technical solvency and within reasonable timeframes.
"With this agreement, the Cabildo becomes a strategic partner of the Town Councils. We are making our resources, our technicians, and our experience available to each municipality, because we understand that the strength of Lanzarote lies in working together," Medina stressed.
The councilor wanted to take advantage of the meeting to publicly thank the City Councils for their collaboration, recognizing the effort and willingness of mayors, councilors, and municipal technicians. "I want to express my sincere gratitude to the seven municipalities of Lanzarote. Their collaboration and commitment are essential for us to move forward. Insular Public Works would not be possible without the daily work and involvement of those who, from each city council, contribute ideas, projects, and solutions. Thank you all for sharing a common vision of progress and public service," he said.
Medina also acknowledged the role of the Ministry's technical team, whose constant work allows dozens of works, projects and contracts to keep running throughout the year. "Behind every action there is a human team that works with rigor, commitment and professionalism. They are the basis of the success of our management," he added.
Lastly, the councilor announced that the 7th Island Public Works Committee will be held in the municipality of Tías in February 2026, continuing with the itinerant nature of this coordination and cooperation forum. These committees, Medina recalled, "are not mere meetings, but real work spaces, where needs are heard, resources are shared, and the future of the island is planned from proximity and consensus."
"Our commitment is to continue building a better connected, safer, and more sustainable Lanzarote. And we will do so, as always, hand in hand with the City Councils, the technicians, and the citizens. Public Works is progress, but it is also cooperation, planning, and shared responsibility," concluded the island councilor.
