Limited plans for easing traffic snarls

Panama’s plans to reduce traffic jams on the streets of the capital will come into effect on Monday April  23 with more of a whimper than a bang. They follow  nearly 5 months of talks.

Drivers can expect to see more Tranist and National Police on the streets during peak hours (6 to 8 am) and (5-7pm). They are expected to be more diligent in observing traffic offenders.

In addition, control points will be set up in the north, east and west. The control points from the west will  be in Arraiján, in the north in Paraiso and Villa Zaita, and in the east  in Parador and Tocumen.

Jorge Miranda, Traffic Operations Director of the National police said that they will be operating 24 hours a day on routes such as Domingo Diaz, the Boyd Roosevelt highway and in Arraiján-La Chorrera.

"Operations will be intensified until drivers become aware," said Miranda.

One target will be drivers using the shoulders of roads. In addition,  police will try to optimize vehicular circulation in the North-South corridors. "The idea is not to find violations, but to generate public awareness," Miranda  added.

The director of the ATTT, Juan Pablo Mora, explained that measures such as restricting the passage of trucks or heavy equipment and the time change will be applied in some locations.