In addition to the existent locks, the two new installations on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts will double the capacity of the Panama Canal. (Pic: Canal de Panamá - Ampliación)
In Panama, a ten-year US$5 billion project is underway to double the capacity of the Panama Canal
Belgian company Dredging International's D'Artagnan, a self-propelled heavy-duty cutter suction dredger, arrived at the canal, and the latest addition to the
ACP aims to tender construction of the bridge in February 2012.
The structure must have a vertical clearance of 75m above the canal, taking into account the possibility of a fourth set of locks, with a lifespan of 100 years.
The project also includes designing access roads on either side of the canal, as well as other bridges that may be required as part of those roads.
Meanwhile,
With work set for completion in 2014, the centrepieces of this monumental project are the two enormous lock installations at the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
"For their realisation, PERI is planning and supplying the formwork and scaffolding systems," says the company.
An international team of engineers has been dealing with the consortium of building contractors, including Spanish contractor
By the end of June, 2011, over 300 containers filled with formwork and scaffolding materials, had been delivered.
