Another impressive accomplishment for Panama. The Metro, open as of April 2014, is part of the many projects underway in Panama’s capital to alleviate congestion. Along with the Metro are many road works which are already improving the standard of living in Panama City. This country is serious about development.
Excerpt from: Fox News Latino
Companies deliver Panama City metro in record time and without cost overruns
The Spanish companies involved in construction of the Panama City metro, to be inaugurated Saturday evening, said the project was delivered in “world record” time and within the budget constraints.
“This is a world record. No one has built a project like this in such little time,” Jose Luis Manzanares, CEO of Barcelona-based engineering firm Ayesa, told Efe during the final trial run of Central America’s first subway system…
“Besides the outstanding compliance with the agreed timeframe and delivering it in just over three years, the construction of this metro is unprecedented because it was completed” without any cost overruns, TMB CEO Joaquim Forn, who is also Barcelona’s deputy mayor, said along the route…
The $2 billion subway system has been one of Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli’s flagship projects.
It is part of a public-transport modernization plan for the capital that also includes ongoing construction of roads, tunnels and overpasses.
The metro’s Line 1 stretches for 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) and has 13 underground and above-ground stations. A total of 19 three-car trains will provide service, covering the route in a maximum time of 23 minutes.