Canal excavation providing material for major redevelopments

The millions of tons of earth being removed for the widening of the Canal are to be used for major landfill projects around Panama city.

The $200 million projects have been hailed by tourism groups, but questioned by some businesses and urban design critics.

Excavated material from the Canal expansion  will be  used for  three land reclamation projects and the expansion of the Amador Causeway to four lanes. {jathumbnail off}

 Alexis Ho, the coordinator of special projects for the department of Reverted Areas, says the projects will generate economic activity in those areas, but Miguel López Piñeiro, president of Fort Amador Resort & Marina, thinks the plans could cause further harm to already struggling businesses, and increase competition.

Urban planner Álvaro Uribe expressed concern that widening the road to the Causeway could create traffic problems, and noted the islands along it have limited space for more vehicles.

Among the planned projects would be along the Avenida de los Poetas, in  in El Chorrillo, where the government had originally planned to build a convention center.

The center is now planned for the Causeway where critics claim there is insufficient hotel accommodation. The Chorillo site will be used for commercial and tourist-related projects.

This work will be in addition to the construction of the third phase of the Cinta Costera, which will connect Avenida Balboa with the Bridge of the Americas through Avenida de los Poetas.

The second reclamation project will be in front of the Frank Gehry designed Museum of Biodiversity The third will be used to build a marina on Naos Island. 

Discussions will take place March 21 to update the master plan for Amador.