- The Republic of Panama is honored to receive the prestigious Samoter 2008 "Best Construction Project in the World" award for the Panama Canal expansion. The Samoter International Award honors those that contribute to the development of construction at both national and international levels. The official ceremony and presentation of the 2008 award will take place in Verona, Italy, on March 5, 2008. 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 and longer, wider ships. The Samoter International Award is a highly-regardedā¦