My way, the highway, says Martinelli

The flip flop on the  form of the  extension of the Cinta Costera continues with an announcement that there will be a referendum  on two options only.

Days after saying  that  after  the preferred  option was  a tunnel President Ricardo Martinelli announced Friday, July 1, that the government will hold a referendum costing  $100,000.

It  will include only residents of El Chorrillo, Santa Ana and San Felipe.

Activists within Casco Viejo, struggling to retain the old city’s Historical  Heritage designation  believe the referendum is a loaded dice situation.

Many believe orange shirted  demonstrators who recently marched through the old city chantng slogans about the ricos and “rabi-blancos” were each paid $6.

Martinelli said the issue will be to determine how Avenida Balboa will be joined with the Avenida de los Poetas, either by a viaduct like the Corridor Sur or a bypass. The construction of a tunnel has been ruled out. {jathumbnail off}

 The referendum will be held within 60 days and although residents will put up a strong fight, observers believe they will be facing impossible odds with government funded “free votes” against them and the choice is between a rock and a hard place giving  voters no valid third way  choice.

 Critics contend that the project, which will cost almost $800 million, will be paid for by the entire country and  puts and that a national heritage  is threatened.

 "This project not only benefit the residents of El Chorrillo, San Felipe and Santa Ana, but also those of Tocumen, Juan Díaz, Pacora, Chepo, and other inhabitants of Panama," said activist Olga Cárdenas.

Minister of Public Works Federico Suárez said  that the referendum will define what route the extension will take, and that there will be an addendum to the contract once it is determined.

 "The project has been ordered to proceed and is going forward," Suárez said.