Several meters underground, construction work on the main collector for the Matasnillo River is advancing in the Fernández de Córdoba sector, where work is currently being carried out in close proximity to Line 1 of the Panama Metro. The work is being carried out near the Fernández de Córdoba station, one of the metro's underground stations, so it has required strict technical controls to avoid affecting existing infrastructure. Paulette Vicente, administrator of programs at the Bay Sanitation Program, explained that due to the proximity to the railway easement, it was necessary to obtain the no-objection from the Panama Metro before starting work in this area. For this, the Panama Metro has permanent access to a 24/7 monitoring system that allows real-time supervision of possible deviations or risks during the execution of the works. Vicente reported that an important installation phase has already been completed at this point; however, an additional section near the Súper 99, also in Fernández de Córdoba, is still pending. According to the project schedule, the remaining work in this area is scheduled to begin between May and June, as part of the continuity of interventions to improve the city's sanitation system. Other metro stations where well tunneling work is being carried out are El Ingenio and near 12 de Octubre, as well as Fernández de Córdova.
Progress of Microtunneling Works The Matasnillo River sanitation project has an overall progress of 52% and involves the construction of 37 wells, of which 23 remain active. According to those in charge of the project, several of these have already completed the microtunneling phase and have progress close to 96%, as they move towards their adaptation as inspection chambers for operation and maintenance. According to Vicente, the work includes excavation, installation of underground pipes through microtunneling, adaptation of internal structures, placement of covers, and finally, the restoration of the pavement to reopen the affected roads. In parallel, interconnections are being made with existing systems in sectors such as Pueblo Nuevo, which has prevented the closure of some wells until these connections are completed. This well, 16 meters deep—equivalent to a three or four-story building—will serve as the entry point for the tunnel boring machine.
Next quarter will see the start of well closures According to estimates from the Bay Sanitation Program, in charge of the Matasnillo River project, it is expected that the closure of the first wells in the Miraflores area will begin in the next quarter, as part of its execution phase. Among the points that will see traffic relief are areas near Miraflores, Los Libertadores, and 80B Oeste Street, near the San Antonio de Padua church, where there are wells close to completing external work, which will allow the road to be freed, although work will continue underground. “We will be progressively closing the wells and restoring the pavement to open the roads. As a safety measure, a controlled distance is maintained during the work, which guarantees that the stability of the system is not compromised. The project involves crossing pipes over the metro tunnel, a maneuver that requires high technical precision. Its completion is scheduled for December 2026. The initiative is part of Panama's Sanitation Program and aims to eliminate wastewater discharges into the Matasnillo River, with the goal of improving its environmental condition and contributing to a more sustainable city. It is a staggered process due to the complexity of the system,” explained the official. However, in areas where connections to the existing system are still required—such as in Pueblo Nuevo—closures may be extended.
Regarding the road impact, partial and total closures remain in various roads, which are managed in coordination with the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT) and the Transit Police, with adjustments according to the vehicular flow in each area. The project, with an investment of 71 million dollars, is executed by the BRD Matasnillo Consortium and supervised by the Nippon Koei-LAC Consortium. In addition, smaller diameter wells are being built to reduce the impact on traffic. The project includes a network of approximately 8 kilometers, including 6 kilometers of main collector, with pipes reaching up to 1.5 meters in diameter. Authorities indicated that tunneling work is carried out continuously, 24 hours a day, and requires at least three wells simultaneously for the installation of the pipes. Another important construction point is concentrated at well 1A, located at the José Ramón Cantera School, a key point for the final connection to the existing system.
