New canal crossing will be toll bridge

THERE WILL BE no free crossing of the new fourth bridge over the Panama Canal with plans already in place to have motorists help pay for the $1 billion project

Minister of Public Works Ramón Arosemena said Wednesday, September 7  that a toll will be charged to cross the bridge.

“It is official, and the National Highway Company (ENA) is the only authorized entity by law allowed to collect tolls,” he said.

He made the  statement while presenting the ministry’s 2017 budget to the National Assembly.

He said  that the administration and construction of the fourth bridge will be handled by the ministry, but eventually the ENA will be in charge of the structure.

The bridge project will cost an estimated $1 billion and will  also include tracks for the extension of the Panama Metro.

There are also plans to expand the highway to Arraiján to eight lanes to improve traffic flow.