South corridor changing lanes and toll system

Starting Monday, September 24, drivers using the South corridor who don’t have a prepaid card will find longer lines for cash payments.

Rigoberto Effio, ENA manager, explained that drivers should be prepared and buy cards for driving on the South corridor. The value of the card is $ 2.00 and may be purchased at the company Petróleos Delta, SA and ePago agencies, and later in some supermarkets.
Over 60 000 cars use the corridor each day. Of this group, 50% of drivers pay the toll in cash, 33% through a card, and 17%, with the Southern Express service.
According Effio, the measures seek to optimize the management of vehicular traffic through the southern corridor and minimize the current turmoil created at the Atlapa. Toll booth.
Another measure being implemented with the aim of reducing traffic jams is the creation three lanes in both directions in the marine section.
This move, which has eliminated shoulders used by ambulances fire tucks and disabled vehicles has already provoke reactions from users.
The president of the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects, Horacio Robles, say the expansion of a third lane will reduce the size of lanes from 3 meter 60 centimeters to 3 meters 20 centimeters, and no shoulder left a pathway that is used by thousands of drivers whose cars at any time can be mechanically damaged.
One aspect that worries Robles is that drivers will now be driving at speed, very close to the wall ., which can cause accidents.