The Panama canal expansion is going ahead on time with the contract companies.  Constructora Urbana (CUSA) of Panama beginning the initial phase of dry excavation in September 2007. CUSA has more than 50 years experience with infrastructure and bridge works in Panama.

“We’re currently ahead of schedule and a big part of that is because of the high productivity we’ve been able to get out of our Cat machines”, said Roberto Muschett, operations manger for CUSA.

The initial excavation requires digging a 4.1-mile (6.7-kilometer) channel that will connect the Pacific end of the canal’s new locks to the current shipway.

Phase 2

As CUSA was digging its way through phase one,  CILSA-Minera Maria, a construction company from Mexico, began its work on the $25.4 million second phase of dry excavation.

The Panama Canal Authority expects CILSA to remove about 265 million cubic feet (7.5 million cubic meters) of earth in a stretch of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers), clean 360 acres (146 hectares) of land, relocate 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) of road and prepare sites for the relocation of six electric transmission towers and line of 230 kilowatts between Panama City and La Chorrera.