The Expansion of the Omar Torrijos Road in Panama: MOP Completes Key Procedures to Begin
The project is in its final stage of procedures and preliminary coordination; the authorities plan to begin construction once the pending authorizations are obtained.
Panama’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has completed the redesign and key tendering procedures for the stalled Omar Torrijos Avenue expansion, with construction set to restart in 2026. The multibillion-dollar initiative is part of a broader $1+ billion infrastructure push to alleviate severe traffic congestion in Panama City.
Project Overview & Scope
- Key Stretch: The project involves the widening of the highway to four lanes between Corozal, Red Tank, and Vía Centenario.
- Investment: Segments of the expansion and related exclusive transit lanes have seen investments exceeding $242.3 million, with earlier related contracts hitting the $89 million mark.
- Connectivity: The highway will connect with the Centennial Bridge and the planned Fourth Bridge over the Panama Canal, which will feature six vehicular lanes and accommodate Metro Line 3.
Broader Infrastructure Impact
The upgraded Omar Torrijos road ties into a larger puzzle of transportation improvements designed to handle Panama’s future traffic capacity:
- Job Creation: These MOP projects are estimated to generate over 30,000 direct jobs.
- Metro Integration: The overarching development includes the addition of wide bike lanes, a monorail down the middle of the corridor, and access to new transport arteries.
The rehabilitation and expansion project of the Omar Torrijos highway, in the Corozal–Red Tank–Centenario section, advanced to its pre-construction phase after completing a series of procedures and inter-institutional coordinations necessary for its execution. According to information provided by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP), the project obtained approval of the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) category III, one of the main requirements for the development of the work.
