David rail link first phase $4.1 billion

The fisrt phase construction of a rail link from Panama to David, Chiriquí, will cost about $4,1 billion and would take approximately six years says aa. The figures are contained in the feasibility study presented to President Juan Carlos Varela on Friday, March 15.by at noon by the China Railway Design Corporation. Phase one would be from Arriajan to David

The cost of the project is lower than that for the construction of the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal and the third line of Panama Metro and will generate 6,000 jobs during construction and another 2,000 for the operation and maintenance of the system carrying passengers and cargo reports La Estrella.

The 160 kilometers per hour train would take last about two and a half hours to travel from Panama to David, although depending on the number of stops.

The feasibility study was carried out with non-reimbursable funds from the government of China as part of agreements reached, after the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations in 2016.

The photo-op delivery was made at the International Fair of David attended by the Ambassador of China in Panama, Wei Quiang.

President Varela said that the possibility of building the railway system represents an “important contribution” to the geographic and commercial integration of the country’s productive region to the capital city by decreasing time and cost.