Panamanian government moving forward with line two of the Metro

By Juan Antonio Alfaro H., Alfaro, Ferrer & Ramirez (AFRA)

On April of 2014, the Government of the Republic of Panama inaugurated the Line One of the Panama City Metro, becoming the first country in Central America to operate a subway system.

As part of the initiative of the Government to continue investing towards the modernization of the public transportation service, on September of 2014 it initiated the bidding process for the  construction and operation of the Line Two of the Metro. The tender includes the design and construction of works, auxiliary installations and stations, supply and installation of the rail system, among others.

The estimated cost of the project is approximately US$2.200 billion. It will consist of an elevated railway path of 21 kilometers, which includes 16 stations located on densely populated areas of Panama City, specifically San Miguelito, Pedregal, Don Bosco, and Las Mañanitas. It contemplates the operation of 27 metro-trains, consisting of 5 wagons each, for an initial capacity to transport
approximately 16,000 passengers per hour in each direction. All stations will include designated stops were passenger will have access to taxi and bus services.

With the operation of the Line Two, the Government aims to reduce the current traffic congestion created by the country ́s fast economic growth, as well as reducing considerably the time of travel and the longer commutes for the areas benefited from the project.

The Government has scheduled the receipt for the bids on December 29th of 2014. The works are expected to initiate on the second semester of 2015, and to conclude within a period of 48 months.