Javier Suárez Pinzón, administrator of the Panama Pacific Agency (APP), acknowledged that the expansion of the Roberto F. Chiari highway to 8 lanes has freed up traffic heading West, but its effects are imperceptible due to the lack of infrastructure to continue this route towards the capital city.
"We are perfectly located, our location cannot be better, but we are missing a key project: the fourth bridge," stated the administrator in an interview with Panamá América.
He mentioned that as long as this lack persists, the stretch between Panama Pacific and the Bridge of the Americas will remain saturated 24 hours a day, affecting the entry of students, workers, travelers, and goods into the area that records an average of 25,000 daily vehicle movements.
Although the Panama Pacific economic zone has a strategic location for the development of its activities, the vehicular traffic generated in the area remains a pending challenge for its administration; therefore, together with the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT), they have implemented a series of measures to facilitate the mobility of drivers; however, their effectiveness depends largely on the completion of the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal.
Additionally, it is expected that the stop for Metro Line 3, which will be strategically located at the entrance to Panama Pacific, will further expedite traffic to this part of the country.
As of September, the construction of the fourth bridge over the canal had reached 22% progress, and its delivery is scheduled for August 2028.
Both President José Raúl Mulino and Minister of Public Works José Luis Andrade have criticized the decisions of the previous government regarding this structure.
Suárez Pinzón detailed that while the work is being completed, checkpoints within the perimeter are being updated to avoid major congestion.
They maintain that changes to the design affected its budget, delivery time, and the quality of life for citizens who must spend long hours in traffic to reach their homes.
Characteristics The cable-stayed bridge will feature 3.6 kilometers, 6 lanes, viaducts, interchanges, and permanent tolls.
Authorities have mentioned that a toll for this road, which is expected to benefit more than 2 thousand people, has not yet been set.
This project even led to a complaint with the Public Ministry against the previous administration for alleged negligent management and cost overruns amounting to 1.8 billion dollars.
The purpose of these modifications is to automate these posts, reducing driver waiting times so that the area maintains its attractiveness for investments.
