Panama Canal Expansion

They came from every province of Panama and from across the globe to witness history, the beginning of the historic expansion of the Panama Canal. The crowd estimated in 30,000, included world leaders in business and government, joined employees of the Panamanian government and the Panama Canal Authority in a ceremony and groundbreaking to celebrate the beginning of the first-ever expansion of the nearly 100-year-old waterway. Expansion will build a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, which will double capacity and allow more traffic, longer and wider ships. First event will inaugurates the first construction project of expansion, a dry excavation project on Paraiso Hill that begins the construction of the new Pacific Locks access channel. The new Pacific Locks access channel will ultimately connect the Gaillard Cut to the new Pacific Locks. In October 22, 2006, Panamanians voted to expand the Canal, a great step that will ultimately secure their future and that of world trade. Expansion will double Canal capacity to more than 600 million Panama Canal tons, tighten the global supply chain and help get goods to market faster. After scores of analyses, studies and planning, expansion begins today. The Panama Canal services more than 144 different transportation routes from every corner of the globe, connecting major trading arteries and providing safe, time-saving and secure passage for all vessels. The expanded Canal will serve as a critical link to world commerce.

source & image:
pancanal.com