Proposed Bridge on Atlantic (Caribbean) side of Panama Canal

New Canal bridge in Colon gets cash infusion

Friday, 10 August 2012 14:49

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) as approved this year a contribution of $186 million towards the construction of a bridge across the waterway in Colon.

The concrete cable-stayed bridge will be 990 meters long and will improve transport and communications on the Caribbean slope.

Outgoing ACP administrator Alberto Zubieta Aleman confirmed the, details on Friday Jul 10. He said there are several groups aspiring to win the bid to build the bridge, costing approximately $500 million. They include the Brazilian company Odebrecht, and three consortia, one Korean, one Spanish and one French

The consortium China Communications Construction Company / Louis Berger Group won the contract for the final design of the bridge, which will have a height of 75 meters above sea level. The group presented the lowest bid in May ($4.7 million). The budget of the Panama Canal for the fiscal year October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 anticipated total income $238 billion, and made direct contributions to the state of $960 million and indirect $177 million.