CANAL EXPANSION

Program Description

The program consists in the construction of two new sets of locks - one on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic side of the Canal. Each lock will have three chambers and each chamber will have three water reutilization basins.

The program also entails the widening and deepening of existing navigational channels in Gatun Lake and the deepening of Culebra Cut.

In order to open a new 6.1 km-long access channel to connect the Pacific locks and the Culebra Cut, four dry excavation projects will be executed.

Relevant Dates
Referendum:	22-October-06
Funds Availability:	December-06
Estimated Termination Date:	2014

   

 

 Expansion Program

Components

Post-Panamax Locks

Construction of the new Post-Panamax locks on the Pacific and Atlantic sides. The new locks complexes will have three chambers each with water-saving basins, a lateral filling and emptying system and rolling gates.

Pacific Access Channel

Excavation of the new Pacific Post-Panamax locks north Access channel. The project requires dry excavation of approximately 50 million cubic meters of material along 6.1 kilometers. Excuted in four different phases.

Improvements to Navigational Channels

Both entrances to the Canal (Atlantic and Pacific) are being dredged, as well as Culebra Cut and Gatun Lake.

Improvements to Water Supply

The project calls for the increase of Gatun Lake's maxium operating level by 45 centimeters to improve Canal water supply and draft dependability.

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For more Information: http://www.pancanal.com/eng/expansion/rpts/components/2011.pdf