Work starts on overhead Metro line as traffic woes continue

Another major contributor to Panama’s traffic woes began Saturday March 17 when work started on the first of five stations on the elevated section of Metro Line One.

The station “October 12”, will be located at the intersection of Simon Bolivar and Transístmica. 

To try to relieve the congestion during the year and a half it  will take to complete the work,  a traffic management plan has been introduced, and two workers  will be assigned to help pedestrians cross the busy intersection.

Construction will continue 24 hours a day and will start in the central area of the Transismica Highway and then extend sideways to both sidewalks where stairs for the station will be located.

Five stations will be on the 12.5 km elevated section of the Metro line: October 12, Pueblo Nuevo, San Miguelito, Sugar Loaf and the Andes. 

The stations will have escalators and elevators for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Adjustments to traffic near the construction zone will be made over a two week period

Work on underground section of the metro has reached the 30% completion mark.

Traffic was clogged on Avenida Balboa on Saturday, normally an easy day for drivers, Half of of the road was closed for unannounced construction work.

On Friday evening, Casco Viejo suffered what many have feared is an  event  in waiting for the city, an almost complete lockdown in the area. Drivers took as much as an hour to drive from the parking lot next to the National Theater, to reach the public market, where access to the Cinta Costera was closed. Walking time, 10-15 minutes.