Expansion Image of the Week: 1.9 million cubic meters of materials have been excavated so far

expansion PLOWS forward

PANAMA CITY, Panama, April 15, 2008 – As recently as March 31, approximately 1.9 million cubic meters of material have been removed as part of the first dry excavation project for the creation of the new Pacific Locks access channel. This new channel will link a new, third set of locks on the Pacific end of the Canal with the existing Gaillard Cut (the narrowest stretch in the Panama Canal). Currently, Panamanian company Constructora Urbana, S.A. has completed 35 percent of the project, which is slated for completion in January 2010.

Cilsa Minera Maria, was awarded the second dry excavation contract for the Expansion Program; and from last March through the end of this month, it has excavated 44,000 cubic meters of material.

About the Panama Canal Authority (ACP)
The ACP is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the ACP is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the ACP’s Web site: http://www.pancanal.com/.