On Monday, May 7, the Panama Canal Authority
(ACP) got one step closer to beginning its historic expansion with the release of the first
construction project tender (request for proposal submission) for dry excavation along the north
access channel on the Pacific end of the Canal.
The Expansion Program adds a new lane of traffic along the Panama Canal through the
construction of a new set of locks, which will double the tonnage capacity and allow the transit of
substantially larger vessels. The North Pacific channel excavation, which will be located west of
Pedro Miguel and locks, is the first of five dry excavation projects that will help link the new Post-
Panamax Locks on the Pacific end of the Canal to the existing Gaillard Cut and represents
approximately 16 percent of the total excavation for the new Pacific Locks Access Channel.
The scope of work under the contract will include: the removal of non-classified material and
disposal of excavated material at indicated locations, and the construction of new gravel roads
and ditches.
“We are making history with the release of the first construction project tender. The Expansion is
moving forward with great progress,” said ACP Engineering and Programs Management Director
Jorge L. Quijano. “We hope to attract firms with significant experience in this type of work as we
begin this important phase of the project.”
Information about this tender (No. 67252) is now available through the ACP’s online bidding
system (SLI), http://www.pancanal.com/esp/procsales/buy.html or via the ACP’s Web site at
www.pancanal.com. Interested parties have 55 days from the tender release date for bid
submissions. The ACP expects to award the contract in July or August 2007.